nearly
one o'clock
Hour after hour passed away , and it was now past twelve ; the night was remarkably calm , scarce a breath stirring , so that any sound , such as that produced by the rapid movement of a vehicle , would have been audible at a considerable distance . For some such sound I was feverishly listening . It was , however , my father 's rule to close the house at nightfall , and the window-shutters being fastened , I was unable to reconnoitre the avenue as I would have wished . It was nearly one o'clock , and we began almost to despair of seeing them upon that night , when I thought I distinguished the sound of wheels , but so remote and faint as to make me at first very uncertain . The noise approached ; it become louder and clearer ; it stopped for a moment . I now heard the shrill screaking of the rusty iron , as the avenue gate revolved on its hinges ; again came the sound of wheels in rapid motion . `` It is they , '' said I , starting up , `` the carriage is in the avenue . ''