ten o'clock
Toward daylight the storm blew itself out , the wind swung round to the northwest , and the morning dawned clear and cold , with a sharp breeze blowing and a bright sun shining upon a snow-clad , ice-crusted world and a sparkling sapphire sea . Dan had risen early and had set Jesse to clear a way across the court and down the avenue to the road . The maids , astir by dawn , were no longer sulky but bustled about at the preparation of an unusually good breakfast in honour of the new guest . Mrs. Frost , who habitually lay till nine or ten o'clock behind the crimson curtains of her great bed , had caught wind of something out of the ordinary , demanded Nancy 's early assistance , and announced her intention of breakfasting with the household . She was fretful during the complicated process of her toilette and so hurt the feelings of her foster-daughter , that when Dan came to take her into the breakfast room , Nancy found an excuse for not accompanying them . The Marquis was awaiting their appearance . He stood with his back-to the fire , a spruce and carefully-dressed little figure , passing remarks upon the weather with young Pembroke , who leaned his graceful length against the mantelpiece .