Six
o'clock
She folded it back thoughtfully into the original folds , and turned away . When she had gone but a few steps she stopped and put her rejected lover 's little note into her bosom , and went slowly back to the boat , hanging her sweet head , and crying as she went . MR. FOUNTAIN remained in the town waiting for his niece 's return . Six o'clock came -- no boat . Eight o'clock -- no boat , and a heavy gale blowing . He went down to the beach in great anxiety ; and when he got there he soon found it was shared to the full by many human beings . There were little knots of fishermen and sailors discussing it , and one poor woman , mother and wife , stealing from group to group and listening anxiously to the men 's conjectures .