about three
o'clock in the afternoon
Her brother should take her as far as Cobhurst with him ; they should start early enough to give him time to stop and call on Ralph Haverley , which he most certainly ought to do , and then he could go on and attend to his business , leaving her at Cobhurst . Even if neither the brother nor the sister were at home , she would not mind being left at that charming old place . She would take a book with her , for there were so many shady spots where she could sit and read until Herbert came back . Herbert Bannister , whose mind was devoted to business and the happiness of his sister , was well pleased with this arrangement , and about three o'clock in the afternoon the buggy containing the two stopped in front of the Cobhurst portico . The front door was open , and they could see through the hall and the open back door into the garden beyond . Dora laughed as she said , `` This is just what happened when I came here before , -- everything wide open , as though there were no flies nor dogs nor strangers . '' Herbert got out and rang the bell : he rang it twice , but no one came .