nine o’clock
I frequently dosed her with Wordsworth in this way , and Wordsworth steadied her soon ; she had a difficulty in comprehending his deep , serene , and sober mind ; his language , too , was not facile to her ; she had to ask questions , to sue for explanations , to be like a child and a novice , and to acknowledge me as her senior and director . Her instinct instantly penetrated and possessed the meaning of more ardent and imaginative writers . Byron excited her ; Scott she loved ; Wordsworth only she puzzled at , wondered over , and hesitated to pronounce an opinion upon . But whether she read to me , or talked with me ; whether she teased me in French , or entreated me in English ; whether she jested with wit , or inquired with deference ; narrated with interest , or listened with attention ; whether she smiled at me or on me , always at nine o'clock I was left abandoned . She would extricate herself from my arms , quit my side , take her lamp , and be gone . Her mission was upstairs ; I have followed her sometimes and watched her . First she opened the door of the dortoir -LRB- the pupils ' chamber -RRB- , noiselessly she glided up the long room between the two rows of white beds , surveyed all the sleepers ; if any were wakeful , especially if any were sad , spoke to them and soothed them ; stood some minutes to ascertain that all was safe and tranquil ; trimmed the watch-light which burned in the apartment all night , then withdrew , closing the door behind her without sound .