five o'clock
The civilities exchanged were of a nature that fell like lead upon the young man 's honest heart , but he was attentive to every word and wish , and always appeared with a kind voice and quiet but cheery smile . But Phillip Lawson had a more bitter draught to swallow ere many hours had passed over his head . Mr. Verne began to show signs of recovery , which the good old physician smilingly attributed to the `` ministering angel , '' as he gaily dubbed Marguerite . The latter was quietly arranging some delicacies upon a silver tray that stood on the pretty five o'clock . Phillip Lawson remained for a moment to contemplate the picture . The girl looked so guileless and so childlike . The pale-grey cashmere , draped in graceful folds , gave her an air peculiar to some self-sacrificing Sister of Mercy , whose presence brought life and light into the home of the afflicted ones .