six o’clock
And thus it was that Jennie Baxter found herself in due time in the great capital of the north , with a room in the Hotel de l'Europe overlooking the Nevski Prospect . In ordinary circumstances she would have enjoyed a visit to St. Petersburg ; but now she was afraid to venture out , being under the apprehension that at any moment she might meet Lord Donal Stirling face to face , and that he would recognize her ; therefore she remained discreetly in her room , watching the strange street scenes from her window . She found herself scrutinizing everyone who had the appearance of being an Englishman , and she had to confess to a little qualm of disappointment when the person in question proved to be some other than Lord Donal ; in fact , during her short stay at St. Petersburg she saw nothing of the young man . Jennie went , on the evening of her arrival , to the offices of the Sleeping Car Company , to secure a place in one of the carriages that left at six o'clock on the evening of the 21st . Her initial difficulty met her when she learned there were several sleeping cars on that train , and she was puzzled to know which to select . She stood there , hesitating , with the plans of the carriages on the table before her . `` You have ample choice , '' said the clerk ; `` seats are not usually booked so long in advance , and only two places have been taken in the train , so far . ''