five o'clock in the
afternoon
The wind had changed , and was settling down to a comfortable north-westerly breeze -- a veritable godsend for a speedy passage across to France . And there those two waited , wondering if the hour would ever come when they could finally make a start . There had been one happy interval in this long weary day , and that was when Sir Andrew went down once again to the pier , and presently came back to tell Marguerite that he had chartered a quick schooner , whose skipper was ready to put to sea the moment the tide was favourable . From that moment the hours seemed less wearisome ; there was less hopelessness in the waiting ; and at last , at five o'clock in the afternoon , Marguerite , closely veiled and followed by Sir Andrew Ffoulkes , who , in the guise of her lacquey , was carrying a number of impedimenta , found her way down to the pier . Once on board , the keen , fresh sea-air revived her , the breeze was just strong enough to nicely swell the sails of the _ Foam Crest _ , as she cut her way merrily towards the open . The sunset was glorious after the storm , and Marguerite , as she watched the white cliffs of Dover gradually disappearing from view , felt more at peace and once more almost hopeful . Sir Andrew was full of kind attentions , and she felt how lucky she had been to have him by her side in this , her great trouble .