four o'clock
The cottage remains . '' Such a compliment recalled all Catherine 's consciousness , and silenced her directly ; and , though pointedly applied to by the general for her choice of the prevailing colour of the paper and hangings , nothing like an opinion on the subject could be drawn from her . The influence of fresh objects and fresh air , however , was of great use in dissipating these embarrassing associations ; and , having reached the ornamental part of the premises , consisting of a walk round two sides of a meadow , on which Henry 's genius had begun to act about half a year ago , she was sufficiently recovered to think it prettier than any pleasure-ground she had ever been in before , though there was not a shrub in it higher than the green bench in the corner . A saunter into other meadows , and through part of the village , with a visit to the stables to examine some improvements , and a charming game of play with a litter of puppies just able to roll about , brought them to four o'clock , when Catherine scarcely thought it could be three . At four they were to dine , and at six to set off on their return . Never had any day passed so quickly ! She could not but observe that the abundance of the dinner did not seem to create the smallest astonishment in the general ; nay , that he was even looking at the side-table for cold meat which was not there .