eleven o'clock
Bessie Fairfax stood to admire its glowing intricacy , and with a remarkable effort of candor exclaimed , `` I think this is as pretty as anything in the Forest -- as pretty as Fairfield or the manor-house at Brook ; '' which amused her grandfather , for the south front of the old mansion-house of Abbotsmead was one of the most grandly picturesque specimens of domestic architecture to be found in the kingdom . In such perambulations time slips away fast . The squire looked at his watch . It was eleven o'clock ; at half-past he was due at a magistrate 's meeting two miles off ; he must leave Bessie to amuse herself until luncheon at two . Bessie was contented to be left . She replied that she would now go indoors and write to her mother . Her grandfather paused an instant on her answer , then nodded acquiescence and went away in haste .