Five o'clock
All the afternoon the two ladies sat and sewed , till the eyes and fingers , and even the spirits of one of them , were weary . The sky since dinner had darkened ; it had begun to rain again , to pour fast . Secret fears began to steal on Caroline that Robert would be persuaded by Mr. Sykes or Mr. Yorke to remain at Whinbury till it cleared , and of that there appeared no present chance . Five o'clock struck , and time stole on ; still the clouds streamed . A sighing wind whispered in the roof-trees of the cottage ; day seemed already closing ; the parlour fire shed on the clear hearth a glow ruddy as at twilight . `` It will not be fair till the moon rises , '' pronounced Mademoiselle Moore , `` consequently I feel assured that my brother will not return till then . Indeed I should be sorry if he did .