about 6 o’clock P.M.
She had stayed with us once or twice before we came to the Grange , but we then knew no other particulars concerning her family , than that her father had been an Indian officer , and that he and her mother had both died in India when she was about six years old , leaving her to the care of an aunt living in England . I now , after a long , and I fear a tedious , preamble , come to my story . On the eve of the new year of 1850 , Catherine had a very bad sore throat , and was obliged , though sorely against her inclination , to stay in bed all day , and forego our small evening gayety . At about 6 o'clock P.M. , Ella took her some tea , and fearing she would be dull , offered to stay with her during the evening . This , however , Catherine would not hear of . `` You go and entertain your company , '' said she laughingly , `` and leave me to my own devices ; I feel very lazy , and I dare say I shall go to sleep . '' As she had not slept much on the preceding night , Ella thought it was the best thing she could do ; so she went out by the door leading on to the corridor , first placing the night-lamp on a table behind the door opening on to the laundry , so that it might not shine in her face .