ten o'clock
I had fancied that such opposition , and the falling away of many others on whom the assassins counted , would have induced them to abandon the whole design . Last night , however , I received intelligence that , instead of so doing , their purpose was but strengthened , and their design only hastened ; that instead of April , the assassination was to take place whenever it could be accomplished ; that even to-morrow , when it is believed you dine with the Lord Romney , if it were found possible absolutely to surround the house so as to prevent escape , the deed was to be attempted there ; or as you went ; or as you came back . If none of these occasions suited , you were to be assailed the first time that you went out to hunt ; and dresses such as those worn by many of your attendants in the chase are already ordered for the purpose of facilitating the execution of the murder , and the escape of the assassins . It has been calculated , I find , that on the night of next Saturday you are likely to pass across Turnham Green towards ten o'clock , and that is one of the occasions which is to be made use of , if others fail . '' William looked at Lord Albemarle , and Albemarle at the King ; but the latter remained silent for a minute or two , as if to give his informant time to go on . The other , however , added nothing more ; and the King , after this long pause , said , `` I must not conceal from you , sir , that we have heard something of this matter , and may probably soon have farther tidings . '' `` It is high time , sir , '' replied the other , `` that you should have farther tidings , for the first attempt will certainly be to-morrow night . ''