four o'clock
Dr. Johnson thought that a man who did not care for his dinner would not care for more important things ; and it is certain that a woman who does not care for her dress is very likely to be a mental , perhaps also a moral , sloven . Mary had hoped to signalize her delight in her uncle 's visit by going down stairs to dine with him ; but the day was unusually damp and cold , and her proposal met with such strong opposition that she resigned the idea . She dressed herself early in a pretty chamber gown of pink silk trimmed with minever ; but in spite of the rosy color , the pallor of her sickness and long confinement was very perceptible . The train that was to bring John Campbell reached Ayr at four o'clock , and Maggie saw the carriage hurrying off to meet it , as she went to her room to dress for dinner . In less than an hour there was the stir of an arrival , and John Campbell 's slow , heavy tread upon the stairs , and Mary 's cry of joy as she met him in the upper corridor . Maggie went on dressing with an increase of happiness ; she felt Mary 's pleasure as if it were her own . With a natural and exquisite taste , she raised high the loose soft coils of her nut-brovn hair ; and let fall in long and flowing grace the rich folds of nut-brown satin that robed her .