two o'clock in the afternoon
I went to take a seat on the heather , and I carefully laid down the long gun by me ; then I amused myself driving away , by throwing stones at them , the young rabbits that ventured imprudently in the vicinity of an engine of war for the effects of which I could not be responsible . Thanks to these precautions , for over an hour that this hunt lasted , no accident happened either to the game or to myself . To speak candidly , I was rather glad to allow the hour to pass when the hunting-party from the chateau are in the habit of taking the field , not caring very much , through a remnant of vain glory , to find myself on their passage that day . Toward two o'clock in the afternoon , I left my seat of mint and wild thyme , satisfied that I had henceforth no unpleasant encounter to apprehend . I handed the blunderbuss to the miller , who seemed somewhat surprised to see me empty-handed , and more so , probably , to see me alive still . I went to take a stand opposite the portal , and I undertook to finish a general view of the ruin , a water-color , which , I feel , is certain to secure the approbation of the minister . I was deeply absorbed in my work , when I suddenly fancied I could hear more distinctly than usual that sound of running horses which , since my misadventure , was forever haunting my ears .