About
four o'clock in the afternoon
For my own part , I remained all night in the house , tortured with fear , vexation , and suspense . `` My hope was altogether disappointed by this unhappy accident ; and I shuddered at the prospect of losing Serafina for ever , either by this mysterious malady , or by her marriage with Mendoza , which I now despaired of being able to defeat . The major-domo having waited several hours for his lord 's return , without seeing him appear , thought proper to despatch a messenger to Don Manuel , with an account of what had happened ; and that nobleman arriving in the morning , took possession of the house . About four o'clock in the afternoon , Serafina began to stir , and , at five , she and her mother were perfectly awake . `` They no sooner recovered the use of reflection , than they gave signs of equal sorrow and amazement , and earnestly called for Isabella , who was privy to our design , and who , after a very minute inquiry , was found in a lone and solitary chamber , where she had been confined . Such was the confusion of the house , that no person ever dreamed of asking how I entered , each domestic , in all probability , supposing I had been introduced by his fellow ; so that I tarried unquestioned , on pretence of concern for the distress of a family in which I had been so generously entertained , and , by Isabella , sent my respects and duty to her ladies . She was , therefore , not a little surprised , when , after every other servant had withdrawn , she heard the lovely Serafina exclaim , with all the violence of grief , ` Ah !