nearly one in the morning
Then he succeeded in lighting a cigarette . It was a miserable business , this waiting in the cold , damp night air ; but sometimes he kept thinking of how he would approach Reitzei in the expected interview ; and sometimes he thought of Natalie ; and again , with his chilled and dripping fingers he would manage to light a cigarette . Again and again the door of the hall was opened , and this or the other figure came out from the glare of the gas into the dark street ; but so far no Reitzei . It was now nearly one in the morning . Finally , about a quarter past one , the last batch of boon companions came out , and the lights within were extinguished . Calabressa followed this gay company , who were laughing and joking despite the rain , for a short way ; but it was clear that neither Beratinsky nor Reitzei was among them . Then he turned , and made his way to his own lodgings , where he arrived tired , soaked through , but not apparently disheartened .