two o'clock
She would be perplexed by my crumpled shirt front , on which I had spilt some drops of wine ; she would overlook that by an effort , explain it sentimentally , resolve it should make no difference to her . She would want to know who had been present , what we had talked about , show the alertest interest in whatever it was -- it did n't matter what ... . No , I could n't face her . So I did not reach my study until two o'clock . There , I remember , stood the new and very beautiful old silver candlesticks that she had set there two days since to please me -- the foolish kindliness of it ! But in her search for expression , Margaret heaped presents upon me . She had fitted these candlesticks with electric lights , and I must , I suppose , have lit them to write my note to Isabel .