about ten o'clock
She could not expect from him the offices of kindness and sympathy . She was an orphan , but not till she was prepared to combat with the trials of life . Recognizing the hand of Providence in this visitation of the Angel of Death , she bowed meekly and submissively to the Master Will , and was even cheerful and happy in her tears . It was about ten o'clock on the night succeeding the funeral of Colonel Dumont that a small canoe , containing a single individual , touched at the bank of the river near the now gloomy mansion . Leaping from the canoe , which was nearly swamped by the act , the person it had contained drew the frail bark beyond the reach of the rapid current , and ascended the steep bank . Following the smooth shell road through the long vista of negro huts , he reached the little grove of tropical trees which surrounded the proprietary mansion . Casting an anxious glance around him , to satisfy himself that he was not watched , he cautiously approached the only illuminated window on that side of the house , upon which , after a close scrutiny of the interior of the room , he gave several light taps .