Ten o’clock
Down the river drifted numerous blocks of ice , some of which stuck on the piles of the old bridges ; others were swept along by the current with great rapidity . It was evident , as the merchant had observed , that it would be very difficult for the Angara to freeze all over . The defenders of Irkutsk had not to dread being attacked on that side . Ten o'clock had just struck . The Grand Duke was about to dismiss his officers and retire to his apartments , when a tumult was heard outside the palace . Almost immediately the door was thrown open , an aide-de-camp appeared , and advanced rapidly towards the Grand Duke . `` Your Highness , '' said he , `` a courier from the Czar ! ''