eight o'clock
So he told himself . He shut his heart against the influence of the happy earth ; he felt like a guest bidden by fate , who knew not whether the feast were to be for bridal or funeral . That he was not a strong man was shown in this -- that having hoped and feared , dreamed and suffered , struggling to see a plain path where no path was , for half the night , he now felt that his power of thought and feeling had burned out , that he could only act his part , without caring much what its results might be . It was eight o'clock . He had groomed his horse , and tidied his house , and bathed , and breakfasted . He did not think it seemly to intrude upon the lady before this hour , and now he ascended her steps and knocked at her door . The dogs thumped their tails on the wooden veranda ; it was only of late they had learned this welcome for him .