midnight
Administering a word of general encouragement , he continued his way , his thoughts going back to the interview with Anne Ashton , a line or two of Longfellow 's `` Fire of Driftwood '' rising up in his mind -- `` Of what had been and might have been , And who was changed , and who was dead . '' The Dowager-Countess of Kirton stood in the sunny breakfast-room at Hartledon , surveying the well-spread table with complacency ; for it appeared to be rather more elaborately set out than usual , and no one loved good cheer better than she . When she saw two cups and saucers on the cloth instead of one , it occurred to her that Maude must , by caprice , be coming down , which she had not done of late . The dowager had arrived at midnight from Garchester , in consequence of having missed the earlier train , and found nearly all the house in retirement . She was in a furious humour , and no one had told her of the arrival of her son-in-law ; no one ever did tell her any more than they were obliged to do ; for she was not held in estimation at Hartledon . `` Potted tongue , '' she exclaimed , dodging round the table , and lifting various covers . `` Raised pie ; I wonder what 's in it ?