noon
Her departure from New York depressed him very much . She had been the good genius of his love , but he told himself that it had now `` grown to perfection , and could , he hoped , stand in its own strength . '' Restlessly he watched the hours away , now blaming , now excusing , anon dreaming of his coming bliss , then fidgeting and fearing disappointment from being too forward in its demanding . When noon passed , and one o'clock struck , he rang for some refreshment ; for he guessed very accurately the reason of delay . `` Cornelia has been visiting or shopping , '' he thought ; `` and if it were visiting , no one would part with her until the last moment ; so then if she get home by dinner-time it is as much as I can expect . I may as well eat , and then wait in what patience I can , another hour or two -- yes , it will be two hours . I will give her two hours -- for she will be obliged to serve others before me .