About nine o'clock
She knew the story of his relative who had opened a shop in Kingsmill ; thinking of that now , she shuddered . Sidwell began to talk of indifferent matters , and Peak was not again mentioned . Her throat being still troublesome , Mrs. Warricombe retired very soon after dinner . About nine o'clock Sidwell went to the library , and sat down at her father 's writing-table , purposing a letter to Sylvia . She penned a line or two , but soon lapsed into reverie , her head on her hands . Of a sudden the door was thrown open , and there stood Buckland , fresh from travel . ` What has brought you ? '