about seven o'clock
The interview between Lady Eversleigh and her visitor was a long one . It was half-past ten o'clock before the strange-looking countryman quitted the blue parlour . This occurred three days before Christmas-day . On the following evening another stranger arrived at Frimley by the mail-coach , which passed through the quiet town at about seven o'clock . This traveller did not patronise the `` Rose and Crown '' inn , though the coach changed horses at that hostelry . He alighted from the outside of the coach while it stood before the door of the `` Rose and Crown , '' waited until his small valise had been fished out of the boot , and then departed through the falling snow , carrying this valise , which was his only luggage . He walked at a rapid pace to the other end of the long , straggling street , where there was a humbler inn , called the `` Cross Keys . ''