two o'clock in the afternoon
His company was ordered to mount guard at the Hoogewoort Gate . As he marched through Nobelstrasse with it , he heard the low , clear melody of a woman 's voice issuing from an open window of the Hoogstraten mansion . He listened , and noticing with a shudder how much Henrica 's voice -- for the singer must be the young lady -- resembled Isabella 's , ordered the drummer to beat the drum . The next morning a servant came from the Hoogstraten house and gave Wilhelm a note , in which he was briefly requested to come to Nobelstrasse at two o'clock in the afternoon , neither earlier nor later . He did not wish to say `` yes '' -- he could not say `` no , '' and went to the house at the appointed hour . Henrica was awaiting him in the little room adjoining the hall . She looked graver than the day before , while heavier shadows under her eyes and the deep flush on her cheeks reminded Wilhelm of Belotti 's fears for her health .