six o'clock
But they were too far off to be overheard , and he did not dare go down and interrogate them . It was his object to appear utterly indifferent to local affairs , and as a total stranger . He felt half stifled within doors , and yet , if he should go out , he knew that he would be incontrollably impelled to take the cliff path that he had followed the preceding night , to watch that nobody came near the place that held his prey , and thereby , like the bird who shows her nest by keeping guard too near , attract attention . The tidings for which he waited came at six o'clock , just as he was sitting down to his dinner . The parlor-maid who served him had that happy and excited look which the possession of news , whether it be good or bad , but especially the latter , always imparts to persons of her class . `` There 's strange news come from Gethin , Sir , '' said she , as she arranged the dishes . `` Indeed , '' said Balfour , carelessly , though he felt his brain spin round and his heart stop at the same moment .