about ten o'clock
Little did Edith then suspect that she was assisting in a plan which was intended to force her into a detested marriage . The invitations for the merry-making were at length printed and forwarded to the favored guests , but the family were not to go to Wyoming for a week or so , and meantime , Mrs. Goddard devoutly hoped that the weather would change and send them a fine snowstorm , so that there would be good sleighing during their sojourn in the country . She had her wish -- everything seemed to favor the schemes of this crafty woman , for , three days later , there came a severe storm , which lasted as many more , and when at length the sun shone again there lay on the ground more than a foot of snow on a level , thus giving promise of rare enjoyment upon runners and behind spirited horses and musical bells . At last the day of their departure arrived , and about ten o'clock , Mrs. Goddard and Edith , well wrapped in furs and robes , were driven over the well-trodden roads , in a hansome sleigh , and behind a pair of fine horses , toward Middlesex Falls . It was only about an hour 's drive , and upon their arrival they found the Goddards ' beautiful country residence in fine order , with blazing fires in several of the rooms . The housekeeper , Mrs. Weld , had attended to all the details of preparation , and was complimented by both Mr. and Mrs. Goddard . In appearance the housekeeper was very peculiar , very tall and very stout , and in no way graceful in form or feature .