two o’clock
Matters were in this state when Power at length arrived in Cork , to take command of our detachment and make the final preparations for our departure . I had been , as usual , spending the evening at the major 's , and had just reached my quarters , when I found my friend sitting at my fire , smoking his cigar and solacing himself with a little brandy-and-water . `` At last , '' said he , as I entered , -- `` at last ! Why , where the deuce have you been till this hour , -- past two o'clock ? There is no ball , no assembly going on , eh ? '' `` No , '' said I , half blushing at the eagerness of the inquiry ; `` I 've been spending the evening with a friend . '' `` Spending the evening !