seven o'clock
She had a frugal supper of cold meat and salad , bread and cheese and cider , served in honour of Mr. Vawdrey , and they three sat till midnight talking happily -- Miss Skipwith of theology , the other two of themselves and the smiling future , and such an innocent forest life as Rosalind and Orlando may have promised themselves , when they were deep in love , and the banished duke 's daughter sighed for no wider kingdom than a shepherd 's hut in the woodland , with the lover of her choice . There were plenty of spare bedrooms at the manor house , but so bare and empty , so long abandoned of human occupants , as to be fit only for the habitation of mice and spiders , stray bat or wandering owl . So Roderick had to walk down the hill again to St. Helier 's , where he found hospitality at an hotel . He was up betimes , too happy to need much sleep , and at seven o'clock he and Vixen were walking in the dewy garden , planning the wonderful life they were to lead at Briarwood , and all the good they were to do . Happiness was to radiate from their home , as heat from the sun . The sick , and the halt , and the lame were to come to Briarwood ; as they had come to the Abbey House before Captain Winstanley 's barren rule of economy . `` God has been so good to us , Rorie , '' said Vixen , nestling at her lover 's side .