about eight o'clock
The keys were safely secreted in Constance 's jewel-box until the night appointed for the rescue came . It proved to be fair , but cloudy , with a low damp mist filling the vale of the Thames . Bertram took no one into his confidence but his own squire , William Maydeston , whom he posted in the forest , at a sufficient distance from the Castle , in charge of the four horses necessary to mount the party . The Princess went to bed as usual -- about eight o'clock , for she kept late hours for her time -- with Maude and Eva in attendance . Both were dismissed ; and Eva at least went peacefully to sleep , in happy ignorance of the kind of awakening which was in store for her . At half-past ten , an hour then esteemed in the middle of the night , Maude , according to instructions previously received , softly opened the door of her lady 's bedchamber . She found her not only risen , but already fully equipped for her journey , and in a state of feverish excitement .