three o'clock in the morning
The candles had burned down to the socket ; the musicians slept , tenderly embracing their instruments . The handsome negress lay at my feet . I had taken her for a cushion . A pale ray of light appeared on the horizon ; it was three o'clock in the morning . All at once a smoke-stack , puffing forth black smoke , crossed the bar ; it was the _ Ontario _ leaving its moorings . A confusion of voices was heard in the next room ; my mother , having in some way learnt of my projected exile , had broken through Granson 's orders to admit no one , and was calling for me . I was rather mortified at being caught in such an absurd dress ; but my mother observed nothing ; she had but one thought , that I was about to leave her for ever .