seven o'clock
She was very chatty and agreeable , treating Mona more as an equal than she had ever done before . She seemed in excellent spirits , and talked so gayly and enthusiastically about the trip that the young girl really began to anticipate it with considerable pleasure . Mary and the cook were to have a holiday during their absence ; the house was to be closed , and the coachman alone would remain about the premises to look after the horses and see that nothing happened to the place . At seven o'clock they left the house , and an hour later were seated in a luxurious Wagner , and rolling rapidly Southward . They arrived in St. Louis on the morning of the second day , and drove directly to the Southern Hotel , where Mrs. Montague said they would remain for a day or two , to rest , and where the friends who were going down the Mississippi to New Orleans with them would join them . The following morning Mrs. Montague dressed herself with great care , and told Mona that she was going out to make some calls , adding that she might amuse herself as she chose , for there was nothing to be done , and she might get lonely to remain alone in the hotel . The young girl resolved to improve the opportunity and look about the city a little on her own account .