three in the
afternoon
`` Especially of one 's self , '' added the major , looking across the water towards the Binnenhof in his vacant way . Then they turned and walked back again beneath the heavy shade of the trees . The conversation , and indeed this dignified promenade on the Vyverberg , had been brought about by a letter which his lordship had received that same morning inviting him to attend a meeting of paper-makers and others interested in the malgamite trade to consider the position of the malgamite charity , and the advisability of taking legal proceedings to close the works on the dunes at Scheveningen . The meeting was to be held at the Hôtel des Indes , at three in the afternoon , and the conveners hinted pretty plainly that the proceedings would be of a decisive nature . The letter left Lord Ferriby with a vague feeling of discomfort . His position was somewhat isolated . A coldness had for some time been in existence between himself and his nephew , Tony Cornish .