five o'clock before
`` But I might write first , and see her afterwards ! '' poor Claire said to herself . `` It would not be quite so bad , when she had got over the first shock . I could _ not _ bear to see her face ... '' It was five o'clock before at last sleep came to drive away the haunting questions , and when she woke it was to find her early tea had grown cold on the table by her side , and to see on looking at her watch that it was nearly ten o'clock . She dressed hurriedly and went downstairs to find Mrs Fanshawe alone in the dining-room , reading the _ Morning Post _ . She waved aside Claire 's apologies for her late appearance with easy good nature . No one was _ expected _ to be punctual at breakfast .