seven o'clock
And the pen wrote down the number Thus , with each hour , the number indicated was lesser by one than the previous number . The Sultan observed the gloom of his favorite , and to drive away her sad thoughts , compelled her to retire to her bedchamber , where she enjoyed two hours of sweet repose , leaning on the Sultan 's breast ; whereupon the Sultan arose and went into his dressing-room , for he had to hold a divan , or council . The first thing the favorite did on awaking was to look at the time , and she perceived that it was now seven o'clock . She immediately hastened to interrogate the pen , and asked the question of it with fear and trembling ; and now the pen wrote down the number `` 4 . '' * * * * * The Sultan himself sent for Morrison . The English sailor was proudly conscious of owning no master but the sea .