eight
o’clock
Abroad the snow fell and froze upon the ground . Three days later Alice Mutimer , as she sat at breakfast , was told that a visitor named Mrs. Clay desired to see her . It was nearly ten o'clock ; Alice had no passion for early rising , and since her mother 's retirement from the common table she breakfasted alone at any hour which seemed good to her . ` Arry always -- or nearly always -- left the house at eight o'clock . Mrs. Clay was introduced into the dining-room . Alice received her with an anxious face , for she was anticipating trouble from the house in Wilton Square . But the trouble was other than she had in mind .