two in the morning
There was no time to think -- there was only time to act . The one thing needed was to keep Mrs. Fairbank from ascending the stairs , and discovering -- not my lady guest only -- but the Englishman also , gagged and bound on his bed . I instantly hurried to the yard . As I ran down the stairs I heard the stable clock strike the quarter to two in the morning . My mistress was eager and agitated . The doctor -LRB- in attendance on her -RRB- was smiling to himself , like a man amused at his own thoughts . `` Is Francis awake or asleep ? ''