four o'clock in the afternoon
Miss Clairville 's expression , colouring , and animated play of gesture lived again in this mysterious child . About seven o'clock , just as Mrs. Abercorn 's `` nice little show '' was beginning , he took his way home . The path lay along the darkest road he had ever seen ; there was neither moon nor stars , and the blackness of a country road bordered by dense forests can only be understood by those who have travelled at such a time , and for the nine miles that he plodded stupidly along -- for he declined to wait to be driven -- given up to sombre and sinister thoughts , he was a most unhappy man . `` Yet is the creature rational -- endowed With foresight , hears too , every Sabbath day , The Christian promise with attentive ear , Nor disbelieves the tidings which he hears , ... '' About a week later , Ringfield was descending the hilly road behind Poussette 's at four o'clock in the afternoon , when he discerned a new arrival at the wharf , and as the tourist season was over , the boat only making a few occasional trips , he was curious concerning the lady who , showily if neither correctly nor expensively attired , was looking about her in disappointment and consternation . Poussette himself hurried out in his character of host ; his manner was more than usually warm and familiar as he took her bag and umbrella , and Ringfield soon learnt that she was Miss Sadie Cordova from Montreal , although originally from New York , a member of the Theatre of Novelties , who had come to pay Miss Clairville a visit . This new acquisition to St. Ignace society was more consistently lively than Pauline , not being troubled with moods , and she brightened the place up very considerably in various directions ; she did not share Pauline 's room , for Poussette gallantly led her to the apartment vacated by Mme. Poussette , but the two friends were constantly together , and Ringfield at first rejoiced in the advent of the gay Cordova , as it intimated a sensible enjoyment of life on Pauline 's part in place of moping and brooding , and as it also appeared to keep Edmund Crabbe off the premises . But these two good ends were gained at the expense of a third , for the constant and animated , even tender attentions of the host were altogether too obvious , although at first no complaint could be made , since so much feminine society served to keep Poussette also steady and sober .