Eight o'clock
She was clever , as he knew , but the burden of her secret had marked its shadows upon her face . What excuse would she offer the Duchess for her sudden departure ? The girl was dear to him , dearer than anything in the world but England , and the thought of making a choice between her safety and the performance of his duty was bitterly painful to him . Eight o'clock passed -- nine . He had gone inside the house again , for the actions of any stranger in Konopisht were sure to be conspicuous and he felt himself already an object of notice . But at last unable to bear the suspense inactive , he went out , crossed the road and stood , his teeth clenched upon his extinguished pipe , his gaze upon the road which led to the gates of the Park . There she came to him , out of the darkness .