nine
o'clock before
The storm abated at five o'clock , and though the rain continued , it seemed well by a quarter of seven to set out for the Old Colony Depot , in sight of which a sudden and vivid flash of lightning caused Isabel to seize her husband 's arm , and to implore him , `` O do n't go by the boat ! '' On this , Basil had the incredible weakness to yield ; and bade the driver take them to the Worcester Depot . It was the first swerving from the ideal in their wedding journey , but it was by no means the last ; though it must be confessed that it was early to begin . They both felt more tranquil when they were irretrievably committed by the purchase of their tickets , and when they sat down in the waiting-room of the station , with all the time between seven and nine o'clock before them . Basil would have eked out the business of checking the trunks into an affair of some length , but the baggage-master did his duty with pitiless celerity ; and so Basil , in the mere excess of his disoccupation , bought an accident-insurance ticket . This employed him half a minute , and then he gave up the unequal contest , and went and took his place beside Isabel , who sat prettily wrapped in her shawl , perfectly content . `` Is n't it charming , '' she said gayly , `` having to wait so long ?