eight
o'clock
Five , ten minutes I waited , and then walked softly up the aisle to her place . I did not perceive , until I reached her side , that she was kneeling , or I suppose I should have felt obliged to refrain from disturbing her . As it was , Sylvia heard me , and , having seen who disturbed her , rose , with the gravest little smile , and , with a curtsy to the altar , walked out before me . I found that Sylvia generally stayed on in the church for the eight o'clock service ; and I was duly grateful when she yielded to my solicitations and set out for a walk with me instead . I had taken a few biscuits from the dining-room and eaten them on my way out ; but I learned later , rather to my distress , that Sylvia had not broken her fast . I must suppose she was accustomed to such practices , for she seemed to enjoy almost as much as I did our long ramble in the fresh morning air . I learned a good deal during that morning walk , and the day that followed it , the greater part of which I spent by Sylvia 's side .