nine o'clock
What she attempted to eat , stuck in her throat . Her father , who was seated near the fire in his accustomed place , seemed also to have lost his appetite . At last , he thrust his food away from him with a gesture of impatience , and began moodily to contemplate the embers that were glowing in the grate . When nine o'clock -- his usual hour for retiring -- struck , Adèle helped him into the parlour . It was there on a sofa that he insisted on sleeping while his foot hurt him as it now did . While the conversation was going on between father and daughter , Frank was crossing the fields near `` Les Marches , '' and soon found himself beneath Adèle 's window . It was open .