about eleven o'clock
The behests of necessity overcome the strongest feelings of mortals , and even impart to weakness a morbid strength . The unhappy maiden rose , and put on her clothes in the midst of the outpourings of her mother 's religious inspirations ; but her sobs and suppressed wailings bore evidence to a sorrow that would not be comforted , even by the assurances of the mercy that endureth for ever . The men again entered ; and Menie , accompanied by her mother , was led away to the hall of the Sheriff 's Court , to undergo an examination , which , of itself , might operate as their utter ruin in this world . They arrived at the court-room about eleven o'clock . An examination of witnesses had already been begun . As they entered the door of the room where they were to be placed , Menie saw passing through the lobby several neighbours ; and between two men , in the act of taking him to be examined , she observed George Wallace , whose eyes seemed red and inflamed , and who exhibited a strong reluctance to proceed forward , requiring the efforts of the men to drag him before the examinator . The whole scene seemed nothing but a dream ; and the trifling circumstance from which it originated invested it with a character strange and unnatural .