ten o'clock
She meant to tell him to come to her , but the words refused to shape themselves . At length she began : `` I have been thinking -- '' then she laid the pen down , and sat with her elbows on the table and her face hidden in her hands . Suddenly she started up at the sound of the door-bell . It was not late -- barely ten o'clock -- and there might still be a note from Selden , or a message -- or he might be there himself , on the other side of the door ! The announcement of his sailing might have been a mistake -- it might be another Lawrence Selden who had gone to Havana -- all these possibilities had time to flash through her mind , and build up the conviction that she was after all to see or hear from him , before the drawing-room door opened to admit a servant carrying a telegram . Lily tore it open with shaking hands , and read Bertha Dorset 's name below the message : `` Sailing unexpectedly tomorrow . Will you join us on a cruise in Mediterranean ? ''