Not earlier; I owed myself the chance.

Not later; that was due to him.
Having so settled it, I thought to rest in peace.

But with the first light I was awake, and it was all I could do to keep myself quiet until I heard Frison stirring.

I called to him then to know if there was any news, and lay waiting and listening while he went down to the street to learn.

It seemed an endless time before he came back; an age, when he came back, before he spoke.
'Well, he has not set off ?' I asked at last, unable to control my eagerness.
Of course he had not; and at nine o'clock I sent Frison out again; and at ten and eleven--always with the same result.