nine o'clock
Ever since the elder Mr. Sefton had brought his young foreign wife home , now more than thirty years ago , the people of Riversborough had called her Madame , giving to her no other title or surname . It had always seemed to set her apart , and at a distance , as a foreigner , and so quiet had she been , so homely and domesticated , that she had remained a stranger , keeping her old habits of life and thought , and often yearning for the old pastor 's home among the Jura Mountains . `` But yes , '' she answered , `` my son is late this morning ; but all the world is early , I think . It is not much beyond nine o'clock , Mr. Acton . The bank is not open yet . '' `` No , no , '' he answered hurriedly , while his eyes wandered restlessly about the room ; `` he is not ill , Madame ? '' `` I hope so not , '' she replied , with some vague uneasiness stirring in her heart .