the hour of nine
she murmured to herself . `` I wish he would come -- oh , how I wish that he would come ! '' She moved in her seat so as to be able to see the marble clock on the massive oak mantelpiece . The hands pointed to the hour of nine . Miss Vane rose and looked out of the window . `` He might have taken the early train from town . If he had , he would be here by this time .