about three o'clock
I thought it would n't last ! '' And Rosie , banging the things about , pounding the mattress with clenched fist , and shaking the pillows like a terrier with a rat , kept up this strain of invective until she had finished her task , and then went off , well pleased to think that the day of her triumph was not perhaps very far distant . On that day , however , Rosie herself was destined to experience great trouble of mind , and an anxiety about her future even exceeding that of Fan , who was spending the long hours alone in that big , cold , fireless room , grieving in her heart at the great change in her beloved mistress , and dropping many a tear on the embroidery in her hands . It was about three o'clock , and feeling her fingers quite stiff with cold , she determined to go quietly down to the drawing-room in the hope of finding a fire lighted there so as to warm her hands . Miss Starbrow had not returned , and the house was very still , and after standing a few moments on the landing , anxious not to rouse the maid and draw a fresh volley of abuse on herself , she went softly down the stairs , and opened the drawing-room door . For a moment or two she stood motionless , and then muttering some incoherent apology turned and fled back to her room . For there , very much at his ease , sat Captain Horton , with Rosie on his knees , her arms about his neck , and her lips either touching his or in very close proximity to them .