eight o'clock
His purpose was to call upon a friend in whom he had great confidence , and confide to him the unhappy state of his affairs . For an hour he walked the streets in debate on the propriety of this course . Unable , however , to see the matter clearly , he returned home with the secret of his domestic trouble still locked in his own bosom . It was past eight o'clock when he entered his dwelling . A light was burning in one of the parlors , and he stepped into the room . After walking for two or three times the length of the apartment , Mr. Emerson threw himself on a sofa , a deep sigh escaping his lips as he did so . At the same moment he heard a step in the passage , and the rustling of a woman 's garments , which caused him to start again to his feet .