three o'clock
TONI . '' That was all ; and yet as she wrote the little sentence , Toni had a queer , stifling sensation as though she were indeed signing her own death-warrant . The note would be delivered at lunch-time ; and about two o'clock Toni began to look for an answer , though she knew it was hardly likely the young man would reply so promptly . At three o'clock she went out into the garden . Her head was throbbing painfully , her cheeks burnt with a scarlet flush , and it was surely quicksilver and not blood which ran so swiftly through her veins . The day was unseasonably warm , and a slight fog hung about , making the air damp and heavy . Owen had gone to town immediately after lunch ; and Toni was inexpressibly relieved by his absence .