eight o'clock
By and by it was time to dress for dinner . I could n't bear to wear one of the grand Ellaline dresses , so I put on the old black . I did look a frump in it , in such a place as Graylees Castle , where everything ought to be beautiful and rich , but I did my hair as nicely as I could , and from the top of my head to my shoulders I was n't so bad . I went downstairs at eight o'clock , and Mrs. Senter was already in the great hall , standing in front of the splendid stone fireplace , watching her rings sparkle in the light of the wood fire , and resting one pretty foot on a paw of the left-hand carved stone wolf that supports a ledge of the mantelpiece -- just as if it belonged to her and she had tamed it . She glanced up when I appeared , and smiled vaguely , but did n't speak . She seemed thoughtful . After awhile , Emily came , swishing silkily .