six o'clock
When all was seen , they closed the little window , and with a mute farewell to the sweet guardian spirit of the little place , -- the girl who had loved her dolls , and so made herself dear to all other girls , -- the three withdrew , and softly , reluctantly drew the sliding panel after them . `` I shall not forget , '' whispered Hildegarde , who was the last to leave the secret chamber ; `` I shall come sometimes , Hester dear , and sit there , just I myself , and we will talk together , the dolls and I. I shall not forget . '' The panel slid into its place with a faint click ; no sign was left , only the white wainscoting , one panel like another , and the crooked stair winding up to the open , airy room above . On a certain lovely evening in June , Hildegarde left the house at six o'clock , or , to be precise , at five minutes before six , and took the path that led to Roseholme . It was her eighteenth birthday , and the Colonel was giving her a tea-party . This was a great event , for many years had passed since guests had been invited to Roseholme . The good Colonel , always delighted to be with Hildegarde and her mother , had still kept up his solitary habits at home , and save for little Hugh , who flitted about the dark old house like a sunbeam , it was a lonely place .