seven o'clock in the morning
And so on and on -- for she was as vulgar minded as the worst of those whom ladies endure about their persons , handling their hair , and having access to more of their lock fast places than they would willingly imagine . The first result was that , on the pretext of bidding him farewell , and convincing him that he and she must meet no more , fate and fortune , society and duty being all alike against their happiness -- I mean on that pretext to herself , the only one to be deceived by it -- Florimel arranged with her woman one evening to go the next morning to the studio : she knew the painter to be an early riser , and always at his work before eight o'clock . But although she tried to imagine she had persuaded herself to say farewell , certainly she had not yet brought her mind to any ripeness of resolve in the matter . At seven o'clock in the morning , the marchioness habited like a housemaid , they slipped out by the front door , turned the corners of two streets , found a hackney coach waiting for them , and arrived in due time at the painter 's abode . When the door opened and Florimel glided in , the painter sprang to his feet to welcome her , and she flew softly , soundless as a moth , into his arms ; for the study being large and full of things , she was not aware of the presence of Malcolm . From behind a picture on an easel , he saw them meet , but shrinking from being an open witness to their secret , and also from being discovered in his father 's clothes by the sister who knew him only as a servant , he instantly sought escape . Nor was it hard to find , for near where he stood was a door opening into a small intermediate chamber , communicating with the drawing room , and by it he fled , intending to pass through to Lenorme 's bedroom , and change his clothes .