six o’clock
Or if I could not effect my purpose in that way -- either by reason of the landlord 's vigilance , or for any other cause -- my course was still easy . I would ride away , and when I had proceeded a mile or so , tie up my horse in the forest and return to the wooden bridge . Thence I could watch the garden and front of the Chateau until time and chance gave me the opportunity I sought . So I saw my way quite clearly ; and when the fellow below called me , reminding me rudely that I must be going , and that it was six o'clock , I was ready with my answer . I shouted sulkily that I was coming , and , after a decent delay , I took up my saddle and bags and went down . Viewed by the light of a cold morning , the inn-room looked more smoky , more grimy , more wretched than when I had last seen it . The goodwife was not visible .