eight o'clock
A thin drizzle , which wetted the unfortunate pedestrian to the marrow , had replaced the torrential rain of the previous day . Twilight was closing in very fast . In the late autumn afternoon I drove to St. Cergues , after which I left the chaise in the village and boldly started to walk up the mountain pass . I had studied the map so carefully that I was quite sure of my way , but though my appointment with the rascals was for eight o'clock , I wished to reach the appointed spot before the last flicker of grey light had disappeared from the sky . Soon I had left the last house well behind me . Boldly I plunged into the narrow path . The loneliness of the place was indescribable .