eleven o'clock
Even Lady Cumnor was moved into action . She , who had hardly ever paid calls `` out of her own sphere , '' who had only once been to see `` Clare '' in her own house -- she came to congratulate after her fashion . Maria had only just time to run up into the drawing-room one morning , and say , -- `` Please , ma'am , the great carriage from the Towers is coming up to the gate , and my lady the Countess is sitting inside . '' It was but eleven o'clock , and Mrs. Gibson would have been indignant at any commoner who had ventured to call at such an untimely hour , but in the case of the Peerage the rules of domestic morality were relaxed . The family `` stood at arms , '' as it were , till Lady Cumnor appeared in the drawing-room ; and then she had to be settled in the best chair , and the light adjusted before anything like conversation began . She was the first to speak ; and Lady Harriet , who had begun a few words to Molly , dropped into silence . `` I have been taking Mary -- Lady Cuxhaven -- to the railway station on this new line between Birmingham and London , and I thought I would come on here , and offer you my congratulations .