ten o’clock
The dinner-bell sounded and the light went out . As yet it was scarcely dark out of doors , and in a few minutes Dare had the satisfaction of seeing the same woman cross the ward and emerge upon the slope without . This time she was bonneted , and carried a little basket in her hand . A nearer view showed her to be , as he had expected , Milly Birch , Paula 's maid , who had friends living in Markton , whom she was in the habit of visiting almost every evening during the three hours of leisure which intervened between Paula 's retirement from the dressing-room and return thither at ten o'clock . When the young woman had descended the road and passed into the large drive , Dare rose and followed her . ` O , it is you , Miss Birch , ' said Dare , on overtaking her . ` I am glad to have the pleasure of walking by your side . '