ten o'clock
The detective had reported the assailing party as numbering from thirty-five to forty ; but the Ion force , though much inferior in point of numbers , even with the addition of eight or ten negro men belonging to the Oaks and Ion , who were tolerably proficient in the use of firearms , certainly had the advantage of position , and of being on the side of right and justice . The gentlemen seemed full of a cheerful courage , the ladies calm and hopeful . Yet they refused to retire , though strongly urged to do so , insisting that to sleep would be simply impossible . It was but ten o'clock when all was ready , yet the young men deemed it most prudent to betake themselves at once to their outlook , since there might possibly have been some change in the plans of the enemy . The others gathered in one of the lower rooms to while away the tedious time of waiting as best they could . Conversation flagged ; they tried music , but it had lost its charms for the time being ; they turned away from the piano and harp and sank into silence ; the house seemed strangely silent , and the pattering of Bruno 's feet as he passed slowly down the whole length of the corridor without , came to their ears with almost startling distinctness . Then he appeared in the doorway , where he stood turning his eyes from one to another with a wistful , questioning gaze : then words seemed to come from his lips in tones of wonder and inquiry .