Two o'clock
A tremulous excitement and unrest seemed to be in the keen air . `` Tis a doomed city , I think , and we are better away , '' said Mr. Morris , leaning on the stone parapet of the bridge and looking far out over the river and at the silent ranks of houses lining its shore . A great bell from some tower on the left boomed out two strokes . `` Two o'clock ! 'T is Christmas morning , and we had best be getting back , Ned . '' Together they walked under the keen , frosty stars as far as the rue St. Honoré , and then , with best Christmas wishes , they parted , Mr. Morris going to the rue Richelieu , and Calvert back to the Legation . It was with the gloomiest forebodings and the doubt whether he should ever see them under happier circumstances , or , indeed , at all , that Mr. Calvert bade farewell to a few friends on the eve of his departure for England .