six o'clock
She seemed reluctant to be left , but obeyed me , standing and watching while I took my way , which I chose cautiously , keeping myself as much within the shadow as might be . I had sooner not have ventured this much exposure , but it is ill to face starvation for safety 's sake . The cottage lay but a hundred yards off , and soon I approached it . It was hard on six o'clock now , and I looked to find the inmates up and stirring . I wondered also whether Monmouth were gone to await Barbara and myself at the Merry Mariners in Deal ; alas , we were too near the trysting-place ! Or had he heard by now that the bird was flown from his lure and caged by that M. de Perrencourt who had treated him so cavalierly ? I could not tell .