Как перевести фразу "But there was one time of the day which placed a check upon Helga." ?

Олег, в английском языке слова часто бывают многозначными. Не забывайте, пожалуйста, указывать контекст. Людям будет понятнее смысл, и отвечать будет проще.

Вариант перевода: Но всё же было одно время суток, когда Хельга усмирялась.

Дословно: Но всё же было одно время суток, которое сдерживало Хельгу.

place a check on someone = сдерживать кого-л., ставить в рамки, находить управу (в плане контроля)

Чтобы Вам было понятнее: в хоккее есть понятие check (глагол и существительное), когда один игрок мешает другому, преграждая путь.

Контекст:
The Viking's wife was, for the time in which she lived, a woman of strong character and will; but, compared to her daughter, she was a gentle, timid woman, and she knew that a wicked sorcerer had the terrible child in his power. It was sometimes as if Helga acted from sheer wickedness; for often when her mother stood on the threshold of the door, or stepped into the yard, she would seat herself on the brink of the well, wave her arms and legs in the air, and suddenly fall right in. Here she was able, from her frog nature, to dip and dive about in the water of the deep well, until at last she would climb forth like a cat, and come back into the hall dripping with water, so that the green leaves that were strewed on the floor were whirled round, and carried away by the streams that flowed from her.

But there was one time of the day which placed a check upon Helga. It was the evening twilight; when this hour arrived she became quiet and thoughtful, and allowed herself to be advised and led; then also a secret feeling seemed to draw her towards her mother.

Только один раз удалось воспользоваться Хельгой по настоящему. В остальном на ней пробу ставить было негде.

Но было одно время дня, которое поместил проверку на Helga