nine o’clock in the evening
When he left home Mutimer bade her not expect him till the following day . She spent the hours in loneliness and misery . Mr. Wyvern called , but even him she begged through a servant to excuse her ; her mother likewise came , and her she talked with for a few minutes , then pleaded headache . At nine o'clock in the evening she went to her bedroom . She had a soporific at hand , remaining from the time of her illness , and in dread of a sleepless night she had recourse to it . It seemed to her that she had slept a very long time when a great and persistent noise awoke her . It was someone knocking at her door , even , as she at length became aware , turning the handle and shaking it .