three o'clock in the morning
There was no end to the champagne . The count drank a great deal . His eyes seemed to grow rather moist , but he did not grow dizzy ; he danced still better than the rest , spoke without any thickness , and even joined in a chorus , and supported Stioshka when she sang `` The sweet emotion of friendship . '' In the midst of the dance and song the merchant , who kept the hotel , came to beg the guests to go home , as it was three o'clock in the morning . The count took the landlord by the throat , and ordered him to dance the _ prisiadka _ . The merchant refused . The count snatched a bottle of champagne , and standing the merchant on his head ordered him to stay so , and then amid general hilarity poured the whole bottle over him .