nearly nine o'clock
Margaret and Lady Victoria agreed they would dine together . Indeed , Margaret had a little headache , for she was weary . They would dine together , and then read something in the evening -- quite alone ; and so they did . It was nearly nine o'clock when the servant announced Claudius and the Duke . The latter , of course , knew nothing about Margaret 's troubles , and was in high spirits . As for Claudius , his momentary excitement , caused by Mr. Screw 's insinuations , had long since passed away , and he was as calm as ever , meditating a graphic description of his day 's excursion to Greenwood Cemetery for Margaret 's benefit . It was a lugubrious subject , but he well knew how to make his talk interesting .