about five o'clock
About half-past three the men adjourned to the billiard-room to smoke . The girls , mighty in numbers , followed , and , with their arms round each other 's waists , and interlacing fingers , they grouped themselves about the room . Two huntsmen returned dripping wet , and much to his annoyance , John had to furnish them with a change of clothes . There was tea in the drawing-room about five o'clock , and soon after the visitors began to take their leave . The wind blew very coldly , the roosting rooks rose out of the branches , and the carriages rolled into the night ; but still a remnant of visitors stood on the steps talking to John . His cold was worse ; he felt very ill , and now a long sharp pain had grown through his left side , and momentarily it became more and more difficult to exchange polite words and smiles . The footmen stood waiting by the open door , the horses champed their bits , the green of the park was dark , and a group of kissing girls moved about the loggia , wheels grated on the gravel ... all were gone !