Wednesday noon
Edith followed him to the street , where a hack stood ready to take her home . Mr. Bryant assisted her to enter it , when he laid a small package in her lap . `` It is your watch , '' he said , in a low tone . Then , extending his hand to her , he added : `` I shall not ask you to return to the office for two or three days -- you need rest after your recent anxiety and excitement , while I am to be away until Wednesday noon . Come to me on Thursday morning , if you feel able , when I shall have plenty of work for you . '' He pressed the hand he was holding with an unconscious fondness which brought a rich color into the young girl 's face , then , closing the carriage door , he gave the order to the coachman , smiled another adieu , as he lifted his hat to her , and the next moment Edith was driven away . There was a glad light in her eyes , a tender smile on her red lips , and , in spite of her poverty and many cares , she was , for the moment , supremely happy , for Royal Bryant 's manner had been far more suggestive to her than he had been aware of , and she was thrilled to her very soul by the consciousness that he loved her .