ten o'clock
A dense November fog ushered in the dawn of the following day . Bluebell had been awake for hours . Some men were mending the streets , and , as she listened to the monotonous blows of their pickaxes and hammers , a lugubrious fancy crossed her that just such sounds would a criminal hear when workmen were erecting the gallows that was to close his mortal career . By ten o'clock a new page of her life would be turned over , if , nervous and unstrung as she was , she were able to carry out the first part of the drama . Suppose the captain should object to her walking abroad , or offer again to accompany her ! And even if she effected a start , might he not , his suspicions awakened , quickly follow ! The eight o'clock breakfast bell rang , and Bluebell came down with a white , scared face and dark rims to her eyes .