ten o'clock
But that bitter hour of self-revelation did more to arouse within her the determination to conquer herself and establish the foundation for a noble womanhood than she could possibly believe . At last she pulled herself together to play the final scene in her evening 's drama . Mrs. Dean had given her a latchkey , in order that she might let herself into the house , should she return from the party after the Deans had retired . At half-past ten o'clock she heard Marjorie and her mother come up the stairs to their rooms . Mr. Dean was away from home on a business trip . When all sounds of conversation between the two women had ceased and the house had apparently settled down for the night , Mary crept softly out of her room and down the stairs . Opening the hall door with stealthy fingers , she stepped into the vestibule .