three o'clock
` I had thought it wrong to let my thoughts take that course ; but when he spoke in his own soft , gentle voice , I felt , and I ca n't help it , that -- he -- could -- comfort -- me -- better -- than -- any one . ' Not hesitating , but slowly , almost inaudibly , she brought out the words ; and , as the tears gushed out irrepressibly with the last , she hastened from the room , and was seen no more till she had recovered composure , and seemed to have dismissed the subject . Louis kept this second attempt a secret ; he was not quite sure how he felt , and did not wish to discuss his rejection . At breakfast , he received a note from Mrs. Ponsonby , begging him to come to the Terrace at three o'clock ; and the hope thus revived made him more conversational than he had been all the former day . He found that Mary was out walking , and he was at once conducted to Mrs. Ponsonby 's room , where he looked exceedingly rosy and confused , till she began by holding out her hand , and saying , ` I wish to thank you . ' ` I am afraid I vexed Mary , ' said Louis , with more than his usual simplicity ; ` but do you think there is no hope ? I knew it was a bad time , but I thought it might make you more at ease on her account . '