two
o'clock
In wooing her , he had clambered to an almost inaccessible cliff from which he hoped to obtain a very sketchable view of the Mer de Glace , and , when Captain Wopper drew attention to him , was making frantic efforts to swing himself by the branch of a tree to a projecting rock , which was so slightly attached to its parent cliff that his weight would in all probability have hurled it and himself down the precipice . The remonstrative shouts of his friends , however , induced him to desist , and he sat down to work in a less perilous position . Meanwhile the Professor , having completed his preliminary preparations , ordered his assistants to go and `` fix the stakes in the ice . '' It had been arranged that while the scientific experiments were in progress , the young ladies should ramble about the neighbourhood in search of flowers and plants , under the care of Lewis , until two o'clock , at which hour all were to assemble at the Montanvert hotel for luncheon , Captain Wopper and Lawrence resolving to remain and assist , or at least observe , the Professor . The former , indeed , bearing in mind his great and ruling wish even in the midst of scientific doubt and inquiries , had suggested that the latter should also accompany the ladies , the country being somewhat rugged , and the ladies -- especially Miss Emma -- not being very sure-footed ; but Lawrence , to his disappointment , had declined , saying that the ladies had a sufficient protector in the gallant Lewis , and that Miss Emma was unquestionably the surest-footed of the whole party . Lawrence therefore remained , and , at the Professor 's request , accompanied the party who were to fix the stakes on the ice . As this operation was attended with considerable difficulty and some danger , we will describe the process .