noon
In the course of the day Lavinia made the acquaintance of Mrs. Egleton . The landlady had told the actress how Spiller had brought Lavinia and how the latter was to appear at the New Theatre . Mrs. Egleton , a dark young woman somewhat pallid and with eyes which suggested that she had a temper which she would be ready to show if put out , was languid and patronising . Though it was past noon the lady had not long got out of bed , and her dress was careless , her hair straggling , her complexion sallow and the dark half circles beneath her eyes were significant of nerve exhaustion . She had in fact the night before sat up late gaming , dancing , eating , drinking -- especially drinking -- with a party of friends . The time was to come when she and Lavinia would be closely associated , but at that moment it was the last thing that entered into the heads of either . Mindful of her appointment Lavinia set out early .