eight in the evening
Would Mrs. Noah leave her a while , and see that no one came ? The good woman could not refuse , and going out , she left Maddy by the window , watching the sun as it went down , and then watching ; the wintry twilight deepen over the landscape , until all things were blended together in one great darkness , and Jessie , seeking for her found her at last , fainting upon the floor . Maddy was glad of the racking headache , which kept her in her bed the whole of the next day , glad of any excuse to stay away from the family , talking -- all but Mrs. Noah -- of Guy , and what was transpiring in England . They had failed to remember the difference in the longitude of the two places ; but Maddy forgot nothing , and when the clock struck four , she called Mrs. Noah to her and whispered , faintly : `` They were to be married at eight in the evening . Allowing for possible delays , it 's over before this and Guy is lost forever ! '' Mrs. Noah had no consolation to offer , and only pressed the hot , feverish hands , while Maddy turned her face to the wall , and did not speak again , except to whisper , incoherently , as she half slumbered , half woke : `` Did Guy think of me when he promised to love her , and does he , can he , see how miserable I am ? '' Maddy was indeed passing through deep waters , and that night , the fourth of December , the longest , dreariest she ever knew , could never be forgotten .