half past
ten o'clock
The streets seemed a howling pandemonium upon this June morning at the season 's full height , and all the gayly dressed people just beginning to be on their way to the park for their morning stroll appeared a mockery as she passed down Piccadilly . Whether she had been missed or no , she cared not , and getting out , rang the bell with numbed unconcern , never , even noticing the surprised face of the footman as she passed him and ran up the long flights of stairs to her room , fortunately meeting no one on the way . Here Priscilla awaited her , having successfully hidden her absence . It was half past ten o'clock . Halcyone went to the window and looked out upon the trees in the triangular piece of green . They were not her trees , but they were still Nature , of a stunted kind , and they would understand and comfort her or , at all events , enable her to regain some calm . She took in deep breaths , and gradually a peace fell upon her .