nearly one o'clock
The life of a young English damsel , in a prim villa at Bayswater , with a very commonplace mother and a practical stockbroking stepfather , is rather a narrow kind of existence ; and to such a damsel the stranger whose hand lifts the curtain that shrouds new and brighter worlds is apt to become a very important personage , especially when the stranger happens to be young and handsome , and invested with that dash of Bohemianism which to artless and sentimental girlhood has such a flavour of romance . Charlotte was very silent as she retraced her steps along the broad gravel walk . As they drew near the Bayswater-gate she looked at her watch . It was nearly one o'clock , and she had promised Mrs. Sheldon to be home at one for luncheon , and afterwards shopping . `` I 'm afraid we must hurry home , Di , '' she said . `` I am quite ready to go , '' answered Miss Paget promptly . `` Good-bye , Valentine . ''