about four o’clock
It was not only in public , but even more markedly in secluded places , on occasions when gallantry would have been safe from all discovery , that this guarded course of action was pursued , all the strength of a consuming passion burning in his eyes the while . It was on a Friday in this month of November that Owen Graye paid a visit to his sister . His zealous integrity still retained for him the situation at Budmouth , and in order that there should be as little interruption as possible to his duties there , he had decided not to come to Knapwater till late in the afternoon , and to return to Budmouth by the first train the next morning , Miss Aldclyffe having made a point of frequently offering him lodging for an unlimited period , to the great pleasure of Cytherea . He reached the house about four o'clock , and ringing the bell , asked of the page who answered it for Miss Graye . When Graye spoke the name of his sister , Manston , who was just coming out from an interview with Miss Aldclyffe , passed him in the vestibule and heard the question . The steward 's face grew hot , and he secretly clenched his hands . He half crossed the court , then turned his head and saw that the lad still stood at the door , though Owen had been shown into the house .