nearly ten o'clock
` That time is quite past and gone , dear . ' She kissed me as she gave me back her cup and saucer , and promised to go to sleep again , while I went to my room to write a long letter home . I was occupied in this way for more than an hour ; and then , having sealed my letter , went down with it to the hall , to put it on a table where all letters intended to be taken to the post in the morning were placed over-night . It was nearly ten o'clock by this time , and I was startled by the sound of the hall-door opening softly from without , while I was putting down my letter . I looked round quietly , and saw Mrs. Darrell coming in , with dripping garments . ` Good gracious me ! ' I cried involuntarily ; ` have you been out all this time in the rain , Mrs. Darrell ? '