nine o'clock in the evening
Next came a long stretch of level road , bordered with mountain ash-trees , laden with coral berries , and then they entered the dense pine forest that skirts a lovely tract of land known as Paradise Valley . Afterward they found themselves confronted and surrounded by a host of small hills , each of which was crowned with a villa or farm-house . As twilight came on , and the carriage began to descend toward the sea through a series of verdant meadows , the bright red roofs of neat farm-houses peeped out here and there through the trees , and soon our travelers reached Christiania Bay , surrounded by picturesque hills , and with its innumerable creeks , its tiny ports and wooden piers , where the steamers and ferry-boats land . At nine o'clock in the evening , and while it was still light , the old carriage drove noisily into the city through the already deserted streets . In obedience to orders previously given by Sylvius Hogg , the vehicle drew up in front of the Hotel du Nord . It was there that Hulda and Joel were to stay , rooms having been engaged for them in advance . After bidding them an affectionate good-night the professor hastened to his own home , where his faithful servants , Kate and Fink , were impatiently awaiting him .