seven o'clock
Thaddeus dropped his eyelids with a face of scarlet ; for on meeting the eyes of Mary , he saw that she had heard this intended comforter as well as himself . Uttering a few incoherent sentences to both ladies he hurried out of the room . * * * * * * * The Count Sobieski was prevented paying his customary visit next morning in Harley Street by a sudden dangerous increase of illness in the general , who had been struck at seven o'clock by a fit of palsy . When Dr. Cavendish beheld the poor old man stretched on the bed , and hardly exhibiting signs of life , he pronounced it to be a death - stroke . At this remark , Thaddeus , turning fearfully pale , staggered to a seat , with his eyes fixed on the altered features of his friend . Dr. Cavendish took his hand .