Eight o'clock
She strove to decide on some immediate plan of action , -- Philip would be home to-morrow , -- she recoiled at the thought of meeting him , knowing what she knew . Glancing dreamily at her own figure , reflected by the lamplight in the long mirror opposite , she recognized that she was fully attired in outdoor costume -- all save her hat , which she had taken off after her first greeting of Lady Winsleigh , and which was still on the table at her side . She looked at the clock , -- it was five minutes to seven . Eight o'clock was her dinner-hour , and thinking of this , she suddenly rang the bell . Morris immediately answered it . `` I shall not dine at home , '' she said in her usual gentle voice ; `` I am going to see some friend this evening . I may not be back till -- till late . ''