seven o'clock
He had loved them both , and she longed for his counsel , in the -- alas ! vain -- hope that she , a right-minded but simple girl -- simple as regards the ambition of life 's drama -- might be able to turn her cousin from the unsatisfied , unsatisfying longings after place and station . The difference in their opinions was simply this -- Rose thought that Helen possessed everything that Helen could desire , while Helen thought that Helen wanted all things . It was morning -- not the morning that Rose had described to her lover , but not more than seven o'clock -- when Rose , who had been up late the previous night , was awoke by her cousin 's maid . On entering Helen 's dressing-room she found her already dressed , but so pale and distressed in her appearance , that she could hardly recognise the brilliant lawgiver of the evening 's festivities in the pale , languid , feverish beauty that was seated at her desk . `` Dear Helen , you are weary ; ill , perhaps , '' exclaimed her gentle cousin . `` You have entered too soon into gay society , and you suffer for the public restraint in private . ''