four
o’clock in the morning
In the spaces between the windows there were mirrors in elaborate white and gilt frames , of old‐fashioned carving . On the walls , covered with white paper , which was torn in many places , there hung two large portraits -- one of some prince who had been governor of the district thirty years before , and the other of some bishop , also long since dead . In the corner opposite the door there were several ikons , before which a lamp was lighted at nightfall ... not so much for devotional purposes as to light the room . Fyodor Pavlovitch used to go to bed very late , at three or four o'clock in the morning , and would wander about the room at night or sit in an arm‐chair , thinking . This had become a habit with him . He often slept quite alone in the house , sending his servants to the lodge ; but usually Smerdyakov remained , sleeping on a bench in the hall . When Alyosha came in , dinner was over , but coffee and preserves had been served .