nearly ten o'clock before
Afterwards , they returned to Rochsburg , but much less buoyantly -- for Louise was growing footsore -- paid a bridge-toll , were shown through the castle , and , at sunset , found themselves on the little railway-station , waiting for an overdue train . The restaurant in which they sat , was a kind of shed , roofed by a covering of Virginia creeper ; the station stood on an eminence ; the plains stretched before them , as far as they could see ; the evening sky was an unbroken sheet of red and gold . The half-hour 's journey over -- it was made in a narrow wooden compartment , crowded with peasants returning from a market -- they left the train , and began to climb the hill . But , by now , Louise was at the end of her strength , and Maurice began to fear that he would never get her home ; she could with difficulty drag one foot after the other , and had to rest every few minutes , so that it was nearly ten o'clock before they entered the house . In her room , he knelt before her and took off her boots ; Amalie carried her supper up on a tray . She hardly touched it : her eyes were closing with fatigue , and she was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow . Next day she did not waken till nearly noon , and she remained in bed till after dinner .