three o'clock
One day , on visiting Chetwynde Castle , he found her in the chief parlor . He thought that she had come there purposely in order to see him ; and he was not disappointed . After a few questions as to the Earl 's health , she excused herself , and said that she must hurry back to his room ; but , as she turned to go , she slipped a piece of paper into his hand , as she had done once before . On it he saw the following words : '' _ Be in the West Avenue , at the former place , at three o'clock _ . '' Gualtier wandered about in a state of feverish impatience till the appointed hour , marveling what the purpose might be which had induced Hilda to seek the interview . He felt that the purpose must be of far-reaching importance which would lead her to seek him at such a time ; but what it was he tried in vain to conjecture . At last the hour came , and Gualtier , who had been waiting so long , was rewarded by the sight of Hilda .