the hour of eleven
She insisted on accompanying the party back to Mary Harmer 's cottage . A simple collation was awaiting them before they travelled back to the city . Lady Scrope looked with the greatest interest and curiosity at the cottage ; received the inquiring advances of Fido very graciously ; made the boys tell her all the history of his attaching himself to them ; and finally made herself the most entertaining and agreeable guest at the board , although the sharpness of her speech and the acid favour of some of her remarks bred a little uneasiness in some of her auditors . Nevertheless the time passed pleasantly enough ; and when the hands of the clock pointed to the hour of eleven , the lady rose to her feet and remarked incisively : `` My coach will be here immediately , if the varlets play me not false . The bride , bridegroom , and the bride 's father shall drive with me . I mean to see the maiden 's house before I return to mine own . '' A glowing colour was in Gertrude 's face .