six o'clock
On one of my excursions I received an invitation to dine at the house of a rich landowner and sportsman , Alexandr Mihalitch G -- . His property was four miles from the small village where I was staying at the time . I put on a frock-coat , an article without which I advise no one to travel , even on a hunting expedition , and betook myself to Alexandr Mihalitch 's . The dinner was fixed for six o'clock ; I arrived at five , and found already a great number of gentlemen in uniforms , in civilian dress , and other nondescript garments . My host met me cordially , but soon hurried away to the butler 's pantry . He was expecting a great dignitary , and was in a state of agitation not quite in keeping with his independent position in society and his wealth . Alexandr Mihalitch had never married , and did not care for women ; his house was the centre of a bachelor society .