five o'clock
I had hoped that father would come to meet me . I could have spoken to him , and he would have understood . John said he was out for the day with a shooting-party , and when I reached the house another disappointment awaited me , for I was met by an announcement that mother also had been obliged to go out to keep an engagement . `` She hopes to be home by five o'clock , '' said the servant . `` Miss Vere and Lady Mary are in the blue sitting-room . Mr Dudley has just come to call . '' I had forgotten that Lady Mary was staying at the house , and it made me feel as if I were more superfluous than ever , for Vere would not need me when she had her best friend at hand , and , somehow or other , Will Dudley was just the last person in the world I wanted to see just then .