nine o’clock
`` There will be no more trouble between these two neighboring countries , because a marriage has to-day been arranged -- a marriage between the Princess Hedwig , His Majesty 's granddaughter , and myself . '' For a moment Nikky Larisch closed his eyes . The anniversary of the death of Prince Hubert dawned bright and sunny . The Place showed a thin covering of snow , which clung , wet and sticky , to the trees ; but by nine o'clock most of it had disappeared , and Prince Ferdinand William Otto was informed that the excursion would take place . Two motors took the party , by back streets , to the landing-stage . In the first were Annunciata , Hedwig , and the Countess , and at the last moment Otto had salvaged Miss Braithwaite from the second car , and begged a place for her with him . A police agent sat beside the chauffeur .