one o'clock
Lady Myrtle had already made inquiries about the best teachers , and such of these as undertook the special subjects the girl wished to give her time to were engaged for her . So several hours of each day were soon told off for lessons and preparation for them . As a rule , Lady Myrtle drove out in the afternoon , her young guest accompanying her , sometimes to pay calls to such of the visitors to the place as were old friends , or in some few cases new acquaintances of hers ; sometimes out into the beautiful country in the neighbourhood , beautiful even in mid-winter , where the views were as varied as charming . And as a rule , between twelve and one o'clock , sometimes too in the afternoon if the old lady were not feeling well enough for a drive , Jacinth went for a brisk walk with Clayton as her duenna . It was during one of these walks that something most unexpected happened one day . Lady Myrtle had caught a slight cold and been forbidden to go out . It was a bright but somewhat treacherous day , for though the sunshine was warm there was a sharp , almost icy , ` under air ' painfully perceptible in the shade .