about nine o'clock
`` What ails him ? '' `` I do n't know , '' answered the little queen , in the most natural manner in the world , `` some idea about fishing , no doubt . '' Night began to fall ; we had remained as I have said a long time at table . It was about nine o'clock . The cousin returned and took the seat he had occupied before , but from this moment it seemed to me that a strange constraint crept in among us , a singular coolness showed itself . The talk , so lively at first , slackened gradually and , despite all my efforts to impart a little life to it , dragged wretchedly . I myself did not feel very bright ; I was haunted by the most absurd notions in the world ; I thought I had detected in the sudden departure of the cousin , in his pallor , in his embarrassed movements , the expression of some strong feeling which he had been powerless to hide .