about
three o'clock in the afternoon
The words had not sounded very gracious , but Fan was well satisfied , and looked on her object as already gained . The discovery which she made , that she had a great deal of power over Mary , had moreover given her a strange happiness , exhilarating her like wine . For the next two days Fan was continually on the tiptoe of expectation , shortening her walks for fear of missing Mary , and not going to Dawson Place , and still her friend came not . On the third day she came about three o'clock in the afternoon , when Fan by chance happened to be out . Miss Starbrow , on hearing at the door that Miss Eden was not at home , considered for a few moments , and then sent up her card to Constance , who was greatly surprised to see it , for Fan had said nothing to make her expect such a visit . She concluded that it was for Fan , and that Miss Starbrow wished to wait or leave some message for her . In the sitting-room they met , Constance slightly nervous and looking pale in her mourning , and regarded each other with no little curiosity .