morning, about eleven o'clock
For as she had herself never received such a proof of his care since all their long acquaintance , she reasonably supposed , Matilda 's reading , and not hers , was the object of his solicitude . Having in these books store of comfort for poor Matilda , she eagerly returned with them ; and in reciting every particular circumstance , made her consider the volumes , almost like presents from her father . The month of September was now arrived ; and Lord Elmwood , accompanied by Rushbrook , went to a small shooting seat , near twenty miles distant from Elmwood Castle , for a week 's particular sport . Matilda was once more at large ; and one beautiful morning , about eleven o'clock , seeing Miss Woodley walking on the lawn before the house , she hastily took her hat to join her ; and not waiting to put it on , went nimbly down the great staircase , with it hanging on her arm . When she had descended a few stairs , she heard a footstep walking slowly up ; and , -LRB- from what emotion she could not tell , -RRB- she stopped short , half resolved to turn back . She hesitated a single instant whether she should or not -- then went a few steps further till she came to the second landing place ; when , by the sudden winding of the staircase , -- Lord Elmwood was immediately before her ! She had felt something like affright before she saw him ; but her reason told her she had nothing to fear , as he was away .