nine o'clock
She determined to go across the lonely moor which she so dreaded alone , for she alone must bring back Pearl to Polly . Shortly before the moon arose , and long after sunset , Maggie crept down the attic stairs , unlatched the house door , and stepped out into the quiet village street . Her fear was that some neighbors would see her , and either insist on accompanying her on her errand , or bring her home . The village , however , was very quiet that night , and at nine o'clock , when Maggie started on her search , there were very few people out . She came quickly to the top of the small street , crossed a field , squeezed through a gap in the hedge , and found herself on the borders of Peg-Top Moor . The moon was bright by this time , and there was no fear of Maggie not seeing . She stepped over the ground briskly , a solitary little figure with a long shadow ever stalking before her , and a beating , defiant heart in her breast .