six o'clock
There is a walk called the Pleasance , passing down through shrubs to the river , and then crossing the stream by a foot-bridge , and leading across the fields towards Dillsborough . This bridge is , perhaps , the prettiest spot in Bragton , or , for that matter , anywhere in the county round ; but even here there is not much of beauty to be praised . It is here , on the side of the river away from the house , that the home meet of the hounds used to be held ; and still the meet at Bragton Bridge is popular in the county . At six o'clock one November evening , Mr. Masters , the attorney , was sitting at home with his family in the large parlour of his house , his office being on the other side of the passage which cut the house in two and was formally called the hall . Upstairs , over the parlour , was a drawing-room ; but this chamber , which was supposed to be elegantly furnished , was very rarely used . Mr. and Mrs. Masters did not see much company , and for family purposes the elegance of the drawing-room made it unfit . It added , however , not a little to the glory of Mrs. Masters ' life .