about four o'clock in the
afternoon
Fanny knew that her cousin did not mean to be unkind ; but there was no sympathy in her : she could not talk to her of the only subject which occupied her thoughts ; so she retreated to her own room , and endeavoured to compose herself . As the afternoon drew on , she began to wish that he was not coming till to-morrow . She became very anxious ; she must see him , somewhere , before she dressed for dinner ; and she would not , could not , bring herself to go down into the drawing-room , and shake hands with him , when he came , before her uncle , her aunt , and her cousin . She was still pondering on the subject , when , about four o'clock in the afternoon , she got a message from her aunt , desiring her to go to her in her boudoir . `` That 'll do , Griffiths , '' said the countess , as Fanny entered her room ; `` you can come up when I ring . Sit down , Fanny ; sit down , my dear . I was thinking Lord Ballindine will soon be here . ''