five o'clock
That is quite enough happiness for one day . In two more hours she will be here . I 'll go downstairs at five o'clock , and wait for her in the hall . '' When five o'clock arrived , however , a brother officer came to call upon Colonel Saville , and Peggy was delayed several minutes longer than she intended , so that when she repaired downstairs it was a little past the hour when Mellicent was due . It was quite likely that the train had been behind time , or that difficulties in getting luggage put on a cab might have delayed her arrival , and Peggy devoutly hoped that this had been the case , so that she might still be in time to give a friendly welcome . The hall was , as usual , crowded with visitors . An American contingent chatted merrily together in one corner ; a French marquise stared around through a gold-rimmed lorgnette ; and the usual array of family parties lolled on ottomans and sofas , scrutinising the passers - by , and exchanging whispered criticisms , which were neither so complimentary nor so subdued as might have been desired .