eleven o'clock
He turned it over and over , and fancied that the writing was her husband 's , though he could not be sure . However , he decided to let her have it at once if possible , and took it upstairs for that purpose ; but on reaching the door of her room and looking in at the keyhole he found there was no light within , the fact being that Eustacia , without undressing , had flung herself upon the bed , to rest and gather a little strength for her coming journey . Her grandfather concluded from what he saw that he ought not to disturb her ; and descending again to the parlour he placed the letter on the mantelpiece to give it to her in the morning . At eleven o'clock he went to bed himself , smoked for some time in his bedroom , put out his light at half-past eleven , and then , as was his invariable custom , pulled up the blind before getting into bed , that he might see which way the wind blew on opening his eyes in the morning , his bedroom window commanding a view of the flagstaff and vane . Just as he had lain down he was surprised to observe the white pole of the staff flash into existence like a streak of phosphorus drawn downwards across the shade of night without . Only one explanation met this -- a light had been suddenly thrown upon the pole from the direction of the house . As everybody had retired to rest the old man felt it necessary to get out of bed , open the window softly , and look to the right and left .