ten minutes past two
She went to the dressing-table and , smoothed her wet hair before the looking-glass , and then put on her bonnet . She was obliged to place the flaming tallow candle very close to the lace furbelows about the glass ; so close that the starched muslin seemed to draw the flame toward it by some power of attraction in its fragile tissue . Phoebe waited anxiously by the inn door for my lady 's coming She watched the minute hand of the little Dutch clock , wondering at the slowness of its progress . It was only ten minutes past two when Lady Audley came down-stairs , with her bonnet on and her hair still wet , but without the candle . Phoebe was immediately anxious about this missing candle . `` The light , my lady , '' she said , `` you have left it up-stairs ! '' `` The wind blew it out as I was leaving your room , '' Lady Audley answered , quietly .