nearly six o'clock
She could have gone on listening to Anne for miles further , but the bridge was crossed , the lights began to show in the cottage windows , and soon they were at the gate of Moor Cottage . Here Esther 's new joy began to moderate . It was quite dark now . Anne told her it was nearly six o'clock . What would Cousin Charlotte be thinking ? Now she had time to spare a thought for her , Esther felt sorry and ashamed . The sounds of their footsteps or voices must have reached the anxious ears within , for even while she was saying ` good-night ' to her companion the cottage door was opened wide , letting a flood of light pour along the pathway .