four o'clock
Through the windows nothing could be seen but a tempestuous whirl of flakes . Lilian 's cat , which had accompanied her in a basket , could not as yet make itself at home on the hearthrug , and was glad of a welcome to its mistress 's lap . Denzil lit a pipe and studied the political news of the day . At four o'clock he waited impatiently the call of his relatives . Lilian , unable to command her agitation , had gone into another room , and was there counting the minutes as if each cost her a drop of heart 's blood . If this first meeting were but over ! All else seemed easy , could she but face Denzil 's sister without betrayal of her shame and dread .