The hour of eight
I marvelled at the ways of foreign heraldry . Either this family of d'Albani had higher pretensions than I had given it credit for , or it employed an unlearned and imaginative stationer . I scribbled a line of acceptance and went to dress . The hour of eight found me knocking at the Count 's door . The grim serving-man admitted me to the pleasant chamber which should have been mine own . A dozen wax candles burned in sconces , and on the table among fruits and the remains of supper stood a handsome candelabra of silver . A small fire of logs had been lit on the hearth , and before it in an armchair sat a strange figure of a man .