nearly six
o’clock
`` And if you please to trust me with the keys of your things , I will take charge of them for you , my lady , until you are suited with a maid , '' Joyce resumed . `` I do n't know anything about the keys , '' answered Isabel ; `` I never keep them . '' Joyce did her best , and Lady Isabel went down . It was nearly six o'clock , the dinner hour , and she strolled to the park gates , hoping to meet Mr. Carlyle . Taking a few steps out , she looked down the road , but could not see him coming ; so she turned in again , and sat down under a shady tree out of view of the road . It was remarkably warm weather for the closing days of May . Half an hour , and then Mr. Carlyle came pelting up , passed the gates , and turned on to the grass .