ten o’clock
`` It was one evening , they say , at the latter end of the year , it might be about the middle of September , I suppose , or the beginning of October ; nay , for that matter , it might be November , for that , too , is the latter end of the year , but that I can not say for certain , because they did not tell me for certain themselves . However , it was at the latter end of the year , this grand lady walked out of the castle into the woods below , as she had often done before , all alone , only her maid was with her . The wind blew cold , and strewed the leaves about , and whistled dismally among those great old chesnut trees , that we passed , ma'amselle , as we came to the castle -- for Benedetto showed me the trees as he was talking -- the wind blew cold , and her woman would have persuaded her to return : but all would not do , for she was fond of walking in the woods , at evening time , and , if the leaves were falling about her , so much the better . `` Well , they saw her go down among the woods , but night came , and she did not return : ten o'clock , eleven o'clock , twelve o'clock came , and no lady ! Well , the servants thought to be sure , some accident had befallen her , and they went out to seek her . They searched all night long , but could not find her , or any trace of her ; and , from that day to this , ma'amselle , she has never been heard of . '' `` Is this true , Annette ? ''