two o'clock in the morning
Oh , Paul ! If I could only hope that you would not wholly despise me , that you , would think sometimes a little pitifully of `` IDA SLATER . '' She next wrote a note to Miss Ludington , full of contrition and tenderness , and referring her to Paul 's letter for the whole story . It was after two o'clock in the morning when she finished the second letter , and laid it in plain view beside the other . She next removed her jewels and exchanged her rich costume for the simplest in her wardrobe , and having donned cloak and hat , extinguished the light , and softly unlocking the door , stepped into the hall . Perfect silence reigned in the house . As she stood listening the clock in the sitting-room struck three .