the hour of ten
Mrs. Martin murmured , as Emma left the room . `` My heart trembles when I think of you , and look into the dark and doubtful future ! '' She then leaned her head upon her hand , and sat in deep , and evidently painful abstraction of mind . Thus she remained for a long time , until aroused by the clock which struck the hour of ten . With a deep sigh she arose , and commenced pacing the room backwards and forwards , pausing every now and then to listen to the sound of approaching footsteps , and moving on again as the sound went by . Thus she continued to walk until nigh eleven o'clock , when some one drew near , paused at the street door , and then opening it , came along the passage with a firm and steady step . Mrs. Martin stopped , trembling in spite of herself , before the parlour door , which a moment after was swung open .