the hour of five
As they did so , his Grace swung round and cautiously approached the wall where the panelling was . `` Aye , aye , '' he heard , as the foremost man found the robe . Straightway they all rushed below stair , and as the head of the last man disappeared , his Grace went through the panelling , and within five minutes stood safe in the forest , happy with the knowledge he had gained . It was near the hour of five when Lady Constance rode forth alone . She left the courtyard unnoticed and hurried to the village and through it and on beyond toward the tree and passed it and galloped some distance beyond , then seeing she was not followed made a quick turn and retraced , But there came from a bend in the road a horseman that rode warily . She again turned to see if any came , and seeing no one stopped at the tree and brought from its cavity a letter . As she replaced the knot , there was such a sudden sound of horses ' feet behind her she dropped the billet and her unknown squire leapt from his horse to recover it , and stood uncovered before her with such a long , low bow of homage he had most time to read the missive .