six
o’clock
Well , you had better think it over and make inquiries about her habits , and as to when she is in a favourable aspect for observation , as the almanacs say . ' Shortly afterwards Dare took his leave . In the evening he made it his business to sit smoking on the bole of a tree which commanded a view of the upper ward of the castle , and also of the old postern-gate , now enlarged and used as a tradesmen 's entrance . It was half-past six o'clock ; the dressing-bell rang , and Dare saw a light-footed young woman hasten at the sound across the ward from the servants ' quarter . A light appeared in a chamber which he knew to be Paula 's dressing-room ; and there it remained half-an-hour , a shadow passing and repassing on the blind in the style of head-dress worn by the girl he had previously seen . The dinner-bell sounded and the light went out . As yet it was scarcely dark out of doors , and in a few minutes Dare had the satisfaction of seeing the same woman cross the ward and emerge upon the slope without .