half past six
They were going on that picnic to Éze , all three . That was already planned ; but Hugh had mentally made an addition to the plan , of which he had said not a word . He was as excited over the thought of this plan as Rosemary would have been had she known . And lest there should be a hitch , or he should not have time to accomplish all , he was out of bed by half past six -- that mysterious hour of dawn when across the glimmering sea Corsica can be seen , floating like a heaped basket of violets in waves of transparent gold . Last night he had anxiously enquired of the concierge whether the Monte Carlo shops would be open on Christmas morning , and had been informed that they would . Otherwise , Hugh Egerton would have been capable of battering down the doors , helping himself to the things he wanted , and leaving enough money to pay for damages as well as purchases . After all , he was ready long before the shutters of those attractive plate glass windows were taken away ; but he was not sorry for that .