noon
And she was abashed by this arid , incurable egotism in the most secret place of her soul . She felt it making itself known continually in her hard determination to make the best of things ; she knew that it was this feeling which was determined to close the death chamber , to deny all torturing memories ; which said , in effect , `` what is finished is finished , and the dead are dead . '' But the conflict wearied her almost to insensibility . She was also physically exhausted by travel , and the next day she slept profoundly until nearly the noon hour . It had been her intention to see Elizabeth in the morning , and she was provoked at her own remissness , for what she feared in reality happened -- Elizabeth was out driving when she reached her residence . The porter thought it would be six o'clock ere she could receive any visitor , `` business or no business . '' Denas said she would call at six o'clock , and charged the man to tell his mistress so .