one
in the afternoon
Unhappy Lord Keeper ! little was he aware what a storm was travelling towards him in all the speed with which an old-fashioned coach and six could possibly achieve its journey . He , like Don Gayferos , `` forgot his lady fair and true , '' and was only anxious about the expected visit of the Marquis of A -- . Soothfast tidings had assured him that this nobleman was at length , and without fail , to honour his castle at one in the afternoon , being a late dinner-hour ; and much was the bustle in consequence of the annunciation . The Lord Keeper traversed the chambers , held consultation with the butler in the cellars , and even ventured , at the risk of a demele with a cook of a spirit lofty enough to scorn the admonitions of Lady Ashton herself , to peep into the kitchen . Satisfied , at length , that everything was in as active a train of preparation as was possible , he summoned Ravenswood and his daughter to walk upon the terrace , for the purpose of watching , from that commanding position , the earliest symptoms of his lordship 's approach . For this purpose , with slow and idle step , he paraded the terrace , which , flanked with a heavy stone battlement , stretched in front of the castle upon a level with the first story ; while visitors found access to the court by a projecting gateway , the bartizan or flat-leaded roof of which was accessible from the terrace by an easy flight of low and broad steps .