Three o'clock
She faltered a few words of thanks , but her confusion was not relieved till the interview closed by the pressure of the crowds breaking up and making their way to the cloakrooms . Shortly afterwards , the gay company had entirely dispersed , the lights in the Castle were extinguished one by one , and silence reigned where , only half an hour before , light feet beat time to the soft music of viol and bassoon , and the echoes of merry voices resounded through the halls . One of the guests , who had tarried longer than all the others , issued alone and proceeded in the direction of Cathedral Square . Three o'clock pealed from the turret as he passed . The night was dark and of that dull , lustreless aspect which not even the white snow on roof and footpath could relieve . Not another soul was in the streets . The long square houses were wrapped in sleep .