eight
o'clock
Dr. Arnold Grey , whose fellowship had terminated early , and who had afterward been tutor and dean , was the youngest master that had ever been known at Saint Bede 's ; and his election might consequently have been unpopular had he not been personally so much liked , and had there not happened immediately afterward that scandal about Edwin Uniacke . Therein he acted so promptly and wisely , that the sleepy , timid old dons as well as the Uniacke family -- for the lad was highly connected -- were thankful that this unlucky business had not occurred in the time of the late master , who was both old and foolish , and would have made it the talk of all England , instead of hushing it up , with the prudent decision of Dr. Grey , so that now it was scarcely spoken of beyond the college walls . Solemn , quiet , and beautiful , as if they had never known a scandal or a tragedy , slept those old walls in the moonlight , which streamed also in long bars from window to window , across the ghostly gallery before mentioned . Ghostly enough in all conscience ; and yet two little figures went trotting fearlessly down it , as they did every night at eight o'clock , between the two ancient apartments now converted into dining-room and nursery . The master 's children were too familiar with these grim , shadowy corners to feel the slightest dread besides , they were not imaginative children . To Arthur , an `` ally taw , '' that is , a real alabaster marble , such as he now fumbled in his pocket , was an object of more importance than all the defunct bishops , archbishops , kings , queens , and benefactors of every sort , whose grim portraits stared at him by day and night . And Letitia was far more anxious that the candle she carried should not drop any of its grease upon her best silk frock , than alarmed at the grotesque shadows it cast , making every portrait seem to follow her with his eyes , as old portraits always do .