three
o'clock
cried the baronet , breaking from him ; `` I repeat , unless you wish to incur my curse , do as I have commanded . '' Thus outraged , thus agonised , Pembroke had appeared before the eyes of his cousin Mary more like a distracted creature than a man possessed of his senses . Shortly after his abrupt departure , her apprehension was petrified to a dreadful certainty of some cruel ruin to her hopes , by an order she received in the handwriting of her uncle , commanding her not to attempt visiting Lady Tinemouth whilst the Count Sobieski continued to be her guest , and under peril of his displeasure never to allow that name to pass her lips . Hardly knowing whither he went , Pembroke did not arrive at the ruined aisle which leads to the habitable part of the Abbey until near three o'clock . He inquired of the groom that took his horse whether the countess and Mr. Constantine were at home . The man replied in the affirmative , but added , with a sad countenance , he feared neither of them could be seen . `` For what reason ? ''