Nearly two o’clock
`` Now go and amuse yourself , '' she called after him , as the boat shot under the nearest bridge . Anything , anything , to be alone , away from the folly and futility that would be all she had left if Nick were to drop out of her life ... `` But perhaps he has dropped already -- dropped for good , '' she thought as she set her foot on the Vanderlyn threshold . The short summer night was already growing transparent : a new born breeze stirred the soiled surface of the water and sent it lapping freshly against the old palace doorways . Nearly two o'clock ! Nick had no doubt come back long ago . Susy hurried up the stairs , reassured by the mere thought of his nearness . She knew that when their eyes and their lips met it would be impossible for anything to keep them apart .