five o'clock
But this afternoon some people are coming in to meet Stephen -- he 's really going on Sunday , he says , -- stay and pour ! '' It would have been a satisfaction to Susan 's pride to refuse . She knew that Ella really needed her this afternoon , and would have liked to punish that lady to that extent . But hurry was undignified and cowardly , and Stephen 's name was a charm , and so it happened that Susan found herself in the drawing-room at five o'clock , in the center of a chattering group , and stirred , as she was always stirred , by Stephen 's effect on the people he met . He found time to say to her only a few words , `` You are more adorable than ever ! '' but they kept Susan 's heart singing all evening , and she and Emily spent the hours after dinner in great harmony ; greater indeed than they had enjoyed for months . The next day she said her good-byes , agitated beyond the capacity to feel any regret , for Stephen Bocqueraz had casually announced his intention to take the same train that she did for the city .