ten o'clock
She led the way back to the drawing-room as soon as possible . There was a billiard-room beyond to which the members of her party speedily betook themselves , and here most of the men joined them soon after . Neither Caryl nor Abingdon was with them , and Vera counted the minutes of their absence with a sinking heart while her guests buzzed all unheeding around her . It was close upon ten o'clock when she saw her husband 's face for a moment in the doorway . He made a rapid sign to her , and with a murmured excuse she went to him , closing the door behind her . Caryl was standing with him , calm as ever , though she fancied that his eyes were a little wider than usual and his bearing less supercilious . Her husband , she saw at a glance , was both angry and agitated .