noon
After dinner , Dyce received from her his cue for drawing-room oratory ; he was led into large discourse , and Mrs. Toplady 's eyes beamed the most intelligent sympathy . None the less did roguery still lurk at the corner of her lips , so that from time to time the philosopher fidgeted a little , and asked himself uneasily what that smile meant . At nine o'clock next morning , Lashmar and Constance sat down to breakfast alone . Mrs. Toplady rarely showed herself much before noon . `` If the sky clears , '' said Constance , `` Lady Ogram will drive at eleven , and you are invited to accompany her . '' `` And you ? '' asked Dyce .