five o'clock
Though he was hardly weak enough to attach any definite meaning or importance to the gibberish he had heard , it still had left an unpleasant _ impression _ , and he was vexed at feeling a wish that the incident -- trifling as he was willing to believe it -- should not be mentioned by Dr. Tatham at the Hall ; and still more was he excited when he recollected that he had _ purposely abstained _ from requesting the good doctor not to do so . All this undoubtedly implied that the matter had occupied Mr. Aubrey 's thoughts to a greater extent than he secretly relished . On reaching , however , the Hall door , this brief pressure on his feelings quickly ceased ; for on entering , he saw Mrs. Aubrey , his sister , and his two children , at high romps together in the hall , and he heartily joined in them . By five o'clock the little party were seated at the cheerful dinner-table , glistening with the old family plate and that kind of fare , at once substantial and luxurious , which befitted the occasion . Old Mrs. Aubrey , in her simple white turban and black velvet dress , presided with a kind of dignified cheerfulness which was delightful to see . Kate had contrived to make herself look more lovely even than usual , wearing a dress of dark blue satin , tastefully trimmed with blonde , and which exquisitely comported with her beautiful complexion . Oh that Delamere had been sitting opposite to , or beside her !