one o'clock
She read the letter carefully through , placed it in an envelope , and , marking it private , addressed it to Walter 's chambers in the Temple , whence she knew it must be forwarded if he were away . Then , putting on her tam o ' shanter , she went out to the village grocer 's , where she posted it , so that it left by the early morning mail . When would his welcome telegram arrive ? She calculated that he would get the letter by mid-day , and by one o'clock she could receive his reply -- his reassurance of love . So she went to her bed , with its white dimity hangings , more calm and composed than for months before . For a long time she lay awake , thinking of him , listening hour by hour to the chiming bells of the old Norman church . They marked the passing of the night .