nearly eight o'clock before
Both she and Candace were too nervous for ordinary talk , and Marian 's presence precluded any mention of the subject with which their thoughts were full ; so the trio sat mostly in silence . Frederic was heard to pass down the upper entry and announce dinner ; but Mrs. Gray only answered by the word `` Presently , '' and did not open the door . The shadows grew darker as the dusk deepened , till after a while the gas in the hall was lighted , when they fled to the remoter corners , and consoled themselves by casting an added blackness wherever they were permitted to fall , -- the only consolation possible to shadows . To the anxious watchers on the window bench the time seemed very long ; and in fact it was nearly eight o'clock before Georgie 's door was heard to open , and Mrs. Gray to pass across the hall to her own room . She only stayed there a few minutes . The girls sprang up to receive her as she came downstairs , and the older ones looked anxiously in her face . She was tired and paler than usual , and her eyes showed that she had been crying ; but her smile was brave and clear as she put her arm round Candace , and gave her a long kiss .