about nine o'clock
Bradly and Foster were among those who followed him to the grave , and listened with awe to the sublime words of the burial service . As they turned to go home , Bradly noticed a female among the by-standers , whose face he felt sure he knew , though it was nearly concealed from him by her handkerchief , and the pains she manifestly took to avoid observation as much as possible . She was one , if she was the person he supposed her to be , whom he would least have expected to meet on the present occasion ; but he might , of course , be mistaken . That same evening , while he was sitting in his surgery about nine o'clock , he heard a timid knock at the outer door . He was used to all sorts of knocks , bold and timid , loud and gentle , so he at once said , `` Come in , '' and was not surprised to see a woman enter , with her face muffled up in a shawl . `` Take a seat , missus , '' he said in a kind voice , `` and tell me what I can do for you . '' -- His visitor sat down and uncovered her face without speaking a word .