eight o'clock in the
morning
Father Benart opened his mouth to call out a reproof to the women , who joined in taunting the unfortunate girl , but changed his mind . `` No , '' he said aloud , `` it is just that she should bear her punishment , and this public shame may save some other girl from the same downward path , but God is more merciful than man . '' While we were standing in the road beside the field we saw a great , lumbering coach approaching , which the little priest at once recognized as that of his brother , the bishop . His Grace had not been expected until the afternoon , but here he was at eight o'clock in the morning . I suspected the bishop had not enjoyed a very good lodging the night before . When the coach drew near we saw the bishop sitting in it alone . As soon as it was close enough it was stopped , and the bishop called to his brother , invited him to step within , and recognizing me as the Tatar prince with whom he was acquainted , extended the same civility to me .