nine o’clock
In this dread presence , then , she would find herself that night ! For she would go . There was no way out . She sent a request to be excused from dinner on the ground of illness , and was , as a result , visited by her royal mistress at nine o'clock . The honor was unexpected . Not often did the Archduchess Annunciata so favor any one . The Countess , lying across her bed in a perfect agony of apprehension , staggered into her sitting-room and knelt to kiss her lady 's hand .