about seven o'clock
And assuming an attitude expressive of mystery , he dropped his voice , looked round the table , and proceeded : -- `` It was on the last evening of the Carnival . It had been raining at intervals during the day , but held up for a good hour just at dusk , as if on purpose for the _ moccoli _ . Scarcely , however , had the guns of St. Angelo thundered an end to the frolic , when the rain came down again in torrents , and put out the last tapers that yet lingered along the Corso . Wet , weary , and splashed from head to foot with mud and tallow , I came home about seven o'clock , having to dine and dress before going to a masked-ball in the evening . To light my stove , change my wet clothes , and make the best of a half-cold _ trattore _ dinner , were my first proceedings ; after which , I laid out my costume ready to put on , wrapped myself in a huge cloak , swallowed a tumbler full of hot cognac and water , and lay down in front of the fire , determined to have a sound nap and a thorough warming , before venturing out again that night . I fell asleep , of course , and never woke till roused by a tremendous peal upon the studio-bell , about two hours and a half afterwards . More dead than alive , I started to my feet .