nearly one o'clock
Three years after his marriage with Mary Lester , he was a drunkard and a gambler , and she a drooping , almost heart-broken young wife and mother . One night , nearly four years from the date of her unhappy marriage , Mary sat alone in her chamber , by the side of the bed upon which slept sweetly and peacefully a little girl nearly three years of age , the miniature image of herself . Her face was very thin and pale , and there was a wildness in her restless eyes , that betokened a troubled spirit . The time had worn on until nearly one o'clock , and still she made no movement to retire ; but seemed waiting for some one , and yet not in anxious expectation . At last the door below was opened , and footsteps came shuffling along the hall , and noisily up the stairs . In a moment or two , her room-door was swung widely open , and her husband staggered in , so drunk that he could scarcely keep his feet . `` And pray what are you doing up at this time of night , ha ? ''