About nine o'clock
I told you of our fears in my letter , and , if I am not mistaken , my father also had some conversation with you , John , upon the subject . When I saw yesterday morning that he had hunted out the old uniform which he had always retained since he wore it in the Afghan war , I was sure that the end was at hand , and that our forebodings would be realised . `` He appeared to be more composed in the afternoon than I have seen him for years , and spoke freely of his life in India and of the incidents of his youth . About nine o'clock he requested us to go up to our own rooms , and locked us in there -- a precaution which he frequently took when the dark fit was upon him . It was always his endeavour , poor soul , to keep us clear of the curse which had fallen upon his own unfortunate head . Before parting from us he tenderly embraced my mother and Gabriel , and he afterwards followed me to my room , where he clasped my hand affectionately and gave into my charge a small packet addressed to yourself . '' `` To me ? ''