two o'clock
Mary had a vague idea that he meant to interest her in a `` sad case , '' as he had done once or twice before , when he thought she needed to be `` taken out of herself . '' She expected to hear a tale of some poor girl who had `` lost all , '' and must be redeemed from disaster by a helping hand lest worse things happen ; and as he was evidently determined not to tell his story then , Mary waited without impatience . They were lunching early , and had finished before many people began to arrive dustily in carriages and automobiles . Hannaford had ordered his taxi at two o'clock , and there was no hurry . He told the Italian musicians to play softly , some simple old airs that he loved . Then , when Mary sat staring dreamily into the water , far down through clear green depths , he put his elbows on the table , his chin in his hands , and leaned across to her . `` Of course you know , '' he said , `` that I love you .