About four o'clock
She was a slight , pretty woman of something less than thirty ; with a good , but pale , complexion , hair tending to auburn , sincere eyes . Her little vanities had no roots of ill-nature ; she could admire without envy , and loved an orderly domestic life . Her husband 's desire to increase his income had rather unsettled her ; she exaggerated the importance of to-day 's interview , and resolved with nervous energy to bring it to a successful issue , if Miss Derrick should prove a possible companion . About four o'clock sounded the visitor 's ring . From her bedroom window Emmeline had seen Miss Derrick 's approach . As the distance from the station was only five minutes ' walk , the stranger naturally came on foot . A dark girl , and of tolerably good features ; rather dressy ; with a carriage corresponding to the tone of her letter -- an easy swing ; head well up and shoulders squared .