about eight o’clock
Her little belongings had all been removed . When later , by the schoolroom fire , I was served with tea by the usual maid , I indulged , on the article of my other pupil , in no inquiry whatever . He had his freedom now -- he might have it to the end ! Well , he did have it ; and it consisted -- in part at least -- of his coming in at about eight o'clock and sitting down with me in silence . On the removal of the tea things I had blown out the candles and drawn my chair closer : I was conscious of a mortal coldness and felt as if I should never again be warm . So , when he appeared , I was sitting in the glow with my thoughts . He paused a moment by the door as if to look at me ; then -- as if to share them -- came to the other side of the hearth and sank into a chair .