ten o’clock
`` Judging from the fact that the prince blushed at this innocent joke , like a young girl , I should think that he must , as an honourable man , harbour the noblest intentions , '' said the old toothless schoolmaster , most unexpectedly ; he had not so much as opened his mouth before . This remark provoked general mirth , and the old fellow himself laughed loudest of the lot , but ended with a stupendous fit of coughing . Nastasia Philipovna , who loved originality and drollery of all kinds , was apparently very fond of this old man , and rang the bell for more tea to stop his coughing . It was now half-past ten o'clock . `` Gentlemen , would n't you like a little champagne now ? '' she asked . `` I have it all ready ; it will cheer us up -- do now -- no ceremony ! ''