nearly three o'clock
She looked around her unafraid . Her clothes were good ; her hair was burnished ; her hands were white ; her man worshipped like the other women 's men . She was once more , after that long , that humble and tearful abdication , at the zenith of her power . * * * * * They did not rise from their table until nearly three o'clock . Twice she had asked : `` How about the firm ? '' and twice he had answered irreverently : `` Let them be hanged ! '' He looked into her eyes wondering and hoping , but in their clearness read no promise .