nine o'clock
Catharine knew much more of Meryon 's history and antecedents -- from Meynell -- than did Mary . She was convinced that the marriage , if there had been a marriage , had been a bogus one , and that the disgrace was irreparable . But in her stern , rich nature , now that the culprit had turned from her sin , there was not a thought of condemnation ; only a yearning pity , an infinite tenderness . At last toward nine o'clock there were steps on the garden path . Mary flew to the door . In the porch there stood the old shepherd from the Bridge Farm . His hat , beard , and shoulders were heavy with snow , and his face shone like a red wrinkled apple , in the light of the hall lamp .