About eleven o'clock
said Lady Arabella to herself . The matter was broached to Frank on the Saturday evening , and settled between them all the same night . Nothing , of course , was at that moment said about Mary ; but Lady Arabella was too full of the subject to let him go to London without telling him that Mary was ready to recede if only he would allow her to do so . About eleven o'clock , Frank was sitting in his own room , conning over the difficulties of the situation -- thinking of his father 's troubles , and his own position -- when he was roused from his reverie by a slight tap at the door . `` Come in , '' said he , somewhat loudly . He thought it was one of his sisters , who were apt to visit him at all hours and for all manner of reasons ; and he , though he was usually gentle to them , was not at present exactly in a humour to be disturbed . The door gently opened , and he saw his mother standing hesitating in the passage .