five o'clock
He made a gesture towards the chamber he had just come out of . `` There is a pack of them in there , '' he said , `` next to Her Majesty 's private closet . They have been praying all day in the oratory . '' * * * * * It was fallen dark by now ; for it was long after five o'clock ; and there were no candles lighted here . We went up and down a good while longer , for the most part in silence , speaking of this and that ; and I will not deny that we talked a little of French affairs , though God knows I was in no heart for that , and answered very indifferently . It appeared to me extraordinary that a man could think of such little things as the affairs of kingdoms when an immortal soul was at stake . A little before six o'clock , when at last the servants brought lights , the Ambassador left me again to go in to see the Queen , leaving me to watch for the Duke ; and I had not very long to wait , for soon after I had heard a clock chime the hour , His Royal Highness came again , walking very quickly as before ; and , when he saw me waiting there , beckoned me to follow him .