two o’clock
His partner from Montreal wrote ; `` You had better stay and see about this large fortune at once . Every one is not such a lucky fellow as you . '' A Mr. Tidal was mentioned as executor of the estate of W. M. Stephens , and our hero prepared at once to call on that gentleman , who received him very friendly , but requested him to call the next day with his mother at the family residence of the deceased , which visit had been particularly desired by the deceased gentleman 's widow . Our young gentleman of coarse promised to comply with the wish , and was very much surprised when , on returning to his mother , he found her hesitating , -- but for a moment only , a second thought , as she promised to accompany him , feeling in her heart that , whatever Mrs. Stephens might wish to see her for , she would certainly not blame her for anything , as all the wrong that had been committed had been committed towards her , but still her heart was heavy when at two o'clock they started in one of those stage coaches of which London has so many . After about two hours ' drive they alighted in front of an old-fashioned family mansion , surrounded by well cultivated grounds . The gentleman , Mr. Vidal , on whom young Mr. Merrick had called the day previous , came to the portal to greet them , and begged Mrs. Merrick to have the kindness to see Mrs. Stephens in her own apartments , as she was in delicate health and very much crushed down through the sudden loss of her husband . A maid who had appeared at the time was ordered to direct Mrs. Merrick to the boudoir of her mistress and , announcing the visitor , withdrew .