nearly eleven o'clock
With the jar of the closing door came a gush of tears . The evening was passed alone . How wretched she felt as the hours moved slowly on ! It was nearly eleven o'clock when Lee came home . By that time , the mind of Kate was in an agony of suspense . More than once the thought that he had abandoned her intruded itself , and filled her with fear and anguish . What a relief to her feelings it was when she heard the rattle of his night-key in the lock !