about ten o’clock
The hours seemed to her interminable . Slowly and heavily they dragged on . Beatrice 's suspense and excitement grew stronger every moment , yet by a violent effort she preserved so perfect an outward calm that a closer observer than Mrs. Compton would have failed to detect any emotion . At last , about ten o'clock , Mrs. Compton retired , with many kind wishes to Beatrice , and many anxious counsels as to her health . Beatrice listened patiently , and made some general remarks , after which Mrs. Compton withdrew . She was now left to herself , and two hours still remained before she could dare to venture . She paced the room fretfully and anxiously , wondering why it was that the time seemed so long , and looking from time to time at her watch in the hope of finding that half an hour had passed , but seeing to her disappointment that only two or three minutes had gone .