nine o’clock
From motives of prudence they were written in the usual semi-formal style , but she was quick to read between the lines , and , moreover , they came from his dear hand . There was the letter sure enough , and another in a woman 's writing . She recognised the hand as that of Lady Honoria , which she had often seen on envelopes directed to Geoffrey , and a thrill of fear shot through her . She took the letters , and walking as quickly as she could to the school , locked herself in her own little room , for it was not yet nine o'clock , and looked at them with a gathering terror . What was in them ? Why did Lady Honoria write to her ? Which should she read first ?