one o'clock
At one o'clock he found himself standing in front of the United States Hotel , his mind made up to desert the affectionate young creature , who , in a moment of thoughtlessness , had set her will in opposition to his , -- to leave the city , under an assumed name , by the earliest lines , and go , he knew not nor cared not where . Blind passion was his prompter and guide . In this feverish state he entered the hotel and called for a bed . Eleven , twelve , one o'clock came , and found Mrs. Huntley in a state of wild agitation . Edward had not yet returned . The silence and evident distress of Mrs. Carlisle struck down the heart of Esther , almost as much as her own fears . The too vivid recollection of one terrible event in her own life completely unbalanced the aunt 's mind , and took away all power to sustain her niece .