nine o'clock
From seven o'clock in the morning of the following day , Luis was waiting for her in Jacoba 's little house . It only consisted of a kitchen on the ground-floor and a little bedroom upstairs , and both so low that the count 's head , with his hat on , touched the ceiling . In this little room he was walking up and down with impatient steps , with his hands in his pockets looking cautiously every minute through the blinds of the only window there was . The lady did not arrive until nine o'clock . He saw her coming with her mantilla veiling her eyes , her missal in her hand , and her rosary hanging on her wrist , with a firm , self-assured step , as if she were coming to give orders to her old protégée . When he heard her voice in the kitchen his heart beat quickly , he began to tremble , and in his agitation he forgot all that he was going to say . `` How are you , count ? ''