nine o’clock
Charles fastened his horse to a tree ; he ran into the road and waited . Half an hour passed , then he counted nineteen minutes by his watch . Suddenly a noise was heard against the wall ; the shutter had been thrown back ; the hook was still swinging . The next day by nine o'clock he was at the farm . Emma blushed as he entered , and she gave a little forced laugh to keep herself in countenance . Old Rouault embraced his future son-in-law . The discussion of money matters was put off ; moreover , there was plenty of time before them , as the marriage could not decently take place till Charles was out of mourning , that is to say , about the spring of the next year .