the hour of
five
With what enjoyment did he inhale the soft and renovating breeze ! The dew quivered on the grass , and the carol of the wakening birds , roused from their slumbers by the spreading warmth , resounded from the groves . From the green knoll on which he stood he beheld the clustering village of Armine , a little agricultural settlement formed of the peasants alone who lived on the estate . The smoke began to rise in blue curls from the cottage chimneys , and the church clock struck the hour of five . It seemed to Ferdinand that those labourers were far happier than he , since the setting sun would find them still at Armine : happy , happy Armine ! The sound of carriage wheels roused him from his reverie . The fatal moment had arrived .