eight o'clock
She had had Mary Bell under her charge from early infancy , and she loved her , accordingly , almost as much as if she were her own child . Besides , as Mary Bell had grown up she had become a very attractive and beautiful child , so kind to all , so considerate , so gentle , so active and intelligent , and at the same time so docile , and so quiet , that she was a universal favorite wherever she went . Mary Erskine was full of joy at the idea of having her come and spend several days and nights too , at her house , and she was impatient for the time to arrive when she might begin to expect her . At eight o'clock , she began to go often to the door to look down the road . At nine , she began to feel uneasy . At ten , she put on her hood and went down the road , almost to the corner , to meet her -- looking forward intensely all the way , hoping at every turn to see her expected visitor advancing along the path . She went on thus until she came in sight of the corner , without seeing or hearing any thing of Mary Bell ; and then she was compelled to return home alone , disappointed and sad .