ten o'clock
A dress of cobweb Indian muslin embroidered in silk , a fan of curling feathers , a dear little satin pocket in which to keep the lace handkerchief , rolls of ribbons , dainty white shoes , with straggly silk stockings rolled into the toes . Peggy displayed one article after another , while Mellicent groaned and gurgled with delight ; Mary exclaimed , `` My , Miss Peggy , but you will be smart ! '' and Mrs Asplin stifled a sigh at the thought of her own inferior preparations . Punctually at ten o'clock the carriage drove up to the door , and off Peggy drove , not altogether unwillingly , now that it had come to the pinch , for after all it _ is _ pleasant to be appreciated , and , when a great excitement is taking place in the neighbourhood , it is only human to wish to be in the thick of the fray . Lady Darcy welcomed her guest with gracious kindness , and , as soon as she had taken off her hat and jacket in the dressing-room which was allotted to her use , she was taken straight away to the chief room , where the work of decoration was being carried briskly forward . The village joiner was fitting mirrors into the corners and hammering with deafening persistence , a couple of gardeners were arranging banks of flowers and palms , and Rosalind stood in the midst of a bower of greenery , covered from head to foot in a smock of blue linen , and with a pair of gardening gloves drawn over her hands . She gave a little cry of relief and satisfaction as Peggy entered .