three o'clock in the afternoon of the nineteenth of July
The old Chartist was still beside him , tears rolling down his cheeks into his beard . Courtier saw Miltoun come forward , and stand , unsmiling , deathly pale . PART II At three o'clock in the afternoon of the nineteenth of July little Ann Shropton commenced the ascent of the main staircase of Valleys House , London . She climbed slowly , in the very middle , an extremely small white figure on those wide and shining stairs , counting them aloud . Their number was never alike two days running , which made them attractive to one for whom novelty was the salt of life . Coming to that spot where they branched , she paused to consider which of the two flights she had used last , and unable to remember , sat down .