nine o'clock in the evening
She thanked him warmly . Then she crept away to her bedroom , and locked herself in , and sat on the hearthrug , and thought , and thought , and recalled every word and tone of her Alfred ; comparing things old and new . Dr. Sampson was a few miles out of town , visiting a patient . It was nine o'clock in the evening when he got Julia 's note ; but he came on to Pembroke Street at once . Dr. Wolf and his men had retired ; leaving a sentinel in the street , on the bare chance of Alfred returning . Dr. Sampson found brother and sister sitting sadly , but lovingly together . Julia rose upon his entrance .