about nine in the evening
It struck me as very strange that the whole family , not excepting the French lady , seemed to get into a state of much anxiety as soon as any one began to talk to this girl , and tried to interrupt the conversation , often breaking into it in a very forced manner . But the most extraordinary thing of all was that , as soon as it was eight o'clock in the evening , the young lady was reminded , first by the French lady and then by her mother , sister , and father , that it was time to go to her room , just as little children are sent to bed that they may not overtire themselves . The French lady went with her , so that they neither of them ever appeared at supper , which was at nine o'clock . The lady of the house , probably remarking my surprise at those proceedings , threw out -LRB- by way of preventing indiscreet inquiries -RRB- a sort of sketchy statement to the effect that Adelgunda was in very poor health , that , particularly about nine in the evening , she was liable to feverish attacks , and that the doctors had ordered her to have complete rest at that time . I saw there must be more in the affair than this , though I could not imagine what it might be ; and it was only this very day that I ascertained the terrible truth , and discovered what the events were which have wrecked the peace of that happy circle in the most frightful manner . '' ` Adelgunda was at one time the most blooming , vigorous , cheerful creature to be seen . Her fourteenth birthday came , and a number of her friends and companions had been invited to spend it with her .