nine o'clock in the evening
When she wished to put him down , his late mistress had been accustomed to address him as `` Little man , '' and his present master termed him `` my little beagle . '' His face was small , with wizened features , moustache , and pointed beard ; and though only forty-five years of age , there were decided silver threads among the brown . He looked up in surprise at the announcement that Lord Monteagle requested permission to speak with him quickly . What could this young Roman Catholic nobleman want with him at nine o'clock in the evening -- a time which to his apprehension was much what midnight is to ours ? Perhaps it was better to see him at once , and have done with the matter . He would take care to dismiss him quickly . `` Show my Lord Monteagle this way . ''