two o’clock
Throughout the morning Serge watched it creeping onward . He could see it coming towards him , yellow as gold , perching here and there on the old furniture , frolicking in corners , at times gliding along the ground like a strip of ribbon . It was a slow deliberate march , the approach of a fond mistress stretching her golden limbs , drawing nigh to the alcove with rhythmic motion , with voluptuous lingering , which roused intense desire . At length , towards two o'clock , the sheet of sunlight left the last armchair , climbed along the coverlet , and spread over the bed like loosened locks of hair . To its glowing fondling Serge surrendered his wasted hands : with his eyes half-closed , he could feel fiery kisses thrilling each of his fingers ; he lay in a bath of light , in the embrace of a glowing orb . And when Albine leaned over smiling , ` Let me be , ' he stammered , his eyes now shut ; ` do n't hold me so tightly . How do you manage to hold me like this in your arms ? '