five o'clock in the morning
On this consideration , he took his leave in a sorrowful plight , kissed my hand , and , weeping , cried `` God knows if ever I shall see you again . '' My kind landlady , finding me obstinate , gave me her best advice how to behave in the execution of my project : and after having persuaded me to take a little refreshment , accommodated me with a bed , and left me to my repose . Early in the morning I arose , and armed with a couple of loaded pistols and a hanger , went to the back part of the squire 's garden , climbed over the wall , and , according to Mrs. Sagely 's direction , concealed myself in a thicket , hard by an alcove that terminated a walk at a good distance from the house , which -LRB- I was told -RRB- my mistress mostly frequented . Here I absconded from five o'clock in the morning to six in the evening , without seeing a human creature ; at last I perceived two women approaching , whom , by my throbbing heart , I soon recognised to be the adorable Narcissa and Miss Williams . I felt the strongest agitation of soul at the sight ; and guessing , that they would repose themselves in the alcove , stopped into it unperceived , and hid upon the stone table a picture of myself in miniature , for which I had sat in London , purposing to leave it with Narcissa before I should go abroad . I exposed it in this manner , as an introduction to my own appearance , which , without some previous intimation , I was afraid might have an unlucky effect upon the delicate nerves of my fair enslaver ; and then withdrew into the thicket , where I could hear their discourse , and suit myself to the circumstance of the occasion . As they advanced , I observed an air of melancholy in the countenance of Narcissa , blended with such unspeakable sweetness , that I could scarce refrain from flying into her arms , and kissing away the pearly drop that stood collected in each bewitching eye .