midnight
Durward had been at Maple Grove but once since ` Lena left , while she had heard of his being in Frankfort several times . `` Something must be done '' -- her favorite expression and in her difficulty she determined to call upon Mrs. Graham , whom she had not seen since Christmas . `` It is quite time she knew about the gray pony , as well as other matters , '' thought she , and ordering the carriage , she set out one morning for Woodlawn , intending to spend the day if she found its mistress amiably disposed , which was not always the case . Mrs. Graham reclined upon a softly-cushioned sofa , her tasteful lace morning-cap half falling from her head , and her rich cashmere gown flowing open , so as to reveal the flounced cambric skirt which her sewing-girl had sat up till midnight to finish . A pair of delicate French slippers pinched rather than graced her fat feet , one of which angrily beat the carpet , as if keeping time to its mistress ' thoughts . Nervous and uncomfortable was the lady of Woodlawn this morning , for she had just passed through a little conjugal scene with her husband , whom she had called a _ brute _ , lamenting the dispensation of Providence which took from her `` her beloved Sir Arthur , who always thought whatever she said was right , '' and ending by throwing herself in the most theatrical manner upon the sofa in the parlor , where , with both her blood and temper at a boiling heat , she lay , when her waiting-maid , but recently purchased , announced the approach of a carriage . `` Mercy , '' exclaimed the distressed lady , `` whose is it ?