about noon
Most of us would at least have allowed the object of our sacrifice to be aware what we were doing for them . The Contessa did not even , so far as this , yield to the temptation of fate . In the meantime Bice had gone through her own little episode . Mr. Derwentwater came about noon , before the Contessa was up ; but he did not know the Contessa 's habits , and he was admitted , which neither Montjoie nor any of the Contessa 's friends would have been . He was overjoyed to find the lady of his affections alone . This made everything , he thought , simple and easy for him , and filled him with a delightful confidence that she was prepared for the object of his visit and had contrived to keep the Contessa out of the way . His heart was beating high , his mind full of excitement .