three o'clock
But he is sitting by his fireside this New Year 's Eve , still a young man , still fresh-coloured , only looking tired and lonely , and , in fact , meditating an attempt to recover his interest in life . He had admitted a partner to his business chiefly that he might be free to quit Yorkshire for a time , and at present he was settling affairs to that end . This afternoon he expected a visit from Mr. Cartwright , who had been serving him in several ways of late , and who had promised to come and talk business for an hour . The day was anything but cheerful ; at times a stray flake of snow hissed upon the fire ; already , at three o'clock , shadows were invading the room . He heard a knock at the front door , and , supposing it to be Cartwright , roused himself . As he was stirring the fire a servant announced -- instead of the father , the daughter . Jessie Cartwright appeared .