ten
o'clock
She was quite vexed at the conjunction of incidents , and went no more to the window till the dragoons had ridden far away and she had heard Festus 's horse laboriously wade on to dry land . When she looked out there was nobody left but Miller Loveday , who usually stood in the garden at this time of the morning to say a word or two to the soldiers , of whom he already knew so many , and was in a fair way of knowing many more , from the liberality with which he handed round mugs of cheering liquor whenever parties of them walked that way . In the afternoon of this day Anne walked to a christening party at a neighbour 's in the adjoining parish of Springham , intending to walk home again before it got dark ; but there was a slight fall of rain towards evening , and she was pressed by the people of the house to stay over the night . With some hesitation she accepted their hospitality ; but at ten o'clock , when they were thinking of going to bed , they were startled by a smart rap at the door , and on it being unbolted a man 's form was seen in the shadows outside . ` Is Miss Garland here ? ' the visitor inquired , at which Anne suspended her breath . ` Yes , ' said Anne 's entertainer , warily .