three o'clock
Even were his father indifferent , Mrs. Loveday would never intrust her only daughter to the hands of a husband who would be away from home five-sixths of his time . But though , apart from Anne , he was not averse to seafaring in itself , to be smuggled thither by the machinery of a press-gang was intolerable ; and the process of seizing , stunning , pinioning , and carrying off unwilling hands was one which Bob as a man had always determined to hold out against to the utmost of his power . Hence , as they went towards home , he frequently listened for sounds behind him , but hearing none he assured his sweetheart that they were safe for that night at least . The mill was still going when they arrived , though old Mr. Loveday was not to be seen ; he had retired as soon as he heard the horse 's hoofs in the lane , leaving Bob to watch the grinding till three o'clock ; when the elder would rise , and Bob withdraw to bed -- a frequent arrangement between them since Bob had taken the place of grinder . Having reached the privacy of her own room , Anne threw open the window , for she had not the slightest intention of going to bed just yet . The tale of the Black Diamond had disturbed her by a slow , insidious process that was worse than sudden fright . Her window looked into the court before the house , now wrapped in the shadow of the trees and the hill ; and she leaned upon its sill listening intently .