ten o'clock at night
At first it seemed as if the stranger meant to beat a precipitate and none too dignified retreat now that the adoring eyes of Lady Sue were no longer upon him . But Mistress de Chavasse had no intention of allowing him to extricate himself quite so easily from an unpleasant position . `` One moment , master , '' she said loudly and peremptorily . `` Prince or whatever you may wish to call yourself ... ere you show me a clean pair of heels , I pray you to explain your presence here on Sir Marmaduke 's doorstep at ten o'clock at night , and in company with his ward . '' For a moment -- a second or two only -- the stranger appeared to hesitate . He paused with one foot still on the lowest of the stone steps , the other on the flagged path , his head bent , his hand upraised in the act of re-adjusting his broad-brimmed hat . Then a sudden thought seemed to strike him , he threw back his head , gave a short laugh as if he were pleased with this new thought , then turned , meeting Mistress de Chavasse 's stern gaze squarely and fully .