nine o'clock
I still entertain a sanguine expectation that something may arise to afford a far less dreadful explanation of what has occurred than what you have put upon it . Be of good cheer , Flora , we shall go one hour after sunset , and return in about two hours from the time at which we leave here , you may be assured . '' Notwithstanding this ready and courageous acquiescence of Flora in the arrangement , Henry was not without his apprehension that when the night should come again , her fears would return with it ; but he spoke to Mr. Chillingworth upon the subject , and got that gentleman 's ready consent to accompany them . He promised to meet them at the church porch exactly at nine o'clock , and matters were all arranged , and Henry waited with much eagerness and anxiety now for the coming night , which he hoped would dissipate one of the fearful deductions which his imagination had drawn from recent circumstances . He gave to Flora a pair of pistols of his own , upon which he knew he could depend , and he took good care to load them well , so that there could be no likelihood whatever of their missing fire at a critical moment . `` Now , Flora , '' he said , `` I have seen you use fire-arms when you were much younger than you are now , and therefore I need give you no instructions . If any intruder does come , and you do fire , be sure you take a good aim , and shoot low . ''