four o'clock precisely
She was so wrought up that she could not sleep , and tossed restlessly most of the night , while she wondered why Belle and Wilhelm were so cruel to her , and what the secret was to which Belle had referred ; she had not , until then , been aware that there was anything mysterious connected with their family history . She arose very early the next morning , and stole forth to post her letter , long before any of the household were astir , after which she crept back to bed and fell into a heavy , dreamless slumber , which lasted until late in the forenoon . Wallace received Violet 's letter by the morning post , and was greatly exercised over it . At four o'clock precisely he entered the pupils ' reception-room at the institute where Violet took German lessons , and was thankful to find no one there before him . Presently Violet entered , looking pale and unhappy . She sprang toward her lover , and laid two small hot hands in his , while she lifted a pair of sad , appealing eyes to him . `` What shall I do , Wallace ? ''