three o’clock
`` Who else could have done half so well -- ? '' As the words left her lips there came a loud knocking at the door of the house , and Jacob ran down to open it . Presently he returned with a messenger in a splendid coat , who bowed to Cicely and asked if she were the Lady Harflete . On her replying that such was her name , he said that he bore to her the command of his Grace the King to attend upon him at three o'clock of that afternoon at his Palace of Whitehall , together with Emlyn Stower and Thomas Bolle , there to make answer to his Majesty concerning a certain charge of witchcraft that had been laid against her and them , which summons she would neglect at her peril . `` Sir , I will be there , '' answered Cicely ; `` but tell me , do I come as a prisoner ? '' `` Nay , '' replied the herald , `` since Master Jacob Smith , in whom his Grace has trust , has consented to be answerable for you . '' `` And for the £ 1000 , '' muttered Jacob , as , with many salutations , he showed the royal messenger to the door , not neglecting to thrust a gold piece into his hand that he waved behind him in farewell .