four o'clock
I shall come down later , aunt . I expect I shall be _ quite _ all right shortly . '' She had a little difficulty in persuading her aunt that it was not necessary to stay beside her , but at last succeeded in doing so , and gave a chuckle of joy when the door closed . She had intended to go down to the garden later on , but , strange to say , fell fast asleep , and did not awaken until the man tapped at her door , saying the tea had been ordered for four o'clock , but now , although it was half-past , madame had not returned , having gone along the river bank , he believed , with monsieur . So Barbara hastily descended and had tea -- very much brewed -- all by herself , and then returned to her room to read . She had finished her book , and was thinking of getting ready for dinner , when Aunt Anne came in -- quite a different Aunt Anne from the one she knew , with all her decision fled . She fidgeted about for some time , saying nothing of importance , then at last turned round and began hastily -- `` I did a very silly thing once long ago , Barbara , and to-day I have done what I am afraid people may think still sillier -- I have promised to marry Mr. Morton . ''