four o'clock
It arose from some dispute respecting the application of a rule of piquet , at which game they had been playing , each interpreting it favourably to himself , and O'Connor , having lost considerably , was in no mood to conduct an argument with temper -- an altercation ensued , and that of rather a pungent nature , and the result was that he left Fitzgerald 's room rather abruptly , determined to demand an explanation in the most peremptory tone . For this purpose he had sent for M'Donough , and had commissioned him to deliver the note , which my arrival had fortunately intercepted . As it was now past noon , O'Connor made me promise to remain with him to dinner ; and we sat down a party of three , all in high spirits at the termination of our anxieties . It is necessary to mention , for the purpose of accounting for what follows , that Mrs. O'Connor , or , as she was more euphoniously styled , the lady of Castle Connor , was precluded by ill-health from taking her place at the dinner-table , and , indeed , seldom left her room before four o'clock . -LRB- 4 -RRB- We were sitting after dinner sipping our claret , and talking , and laughing , and enjoying ourselves exceedingly , when a servant , stepping into the room , informed his master that a gentleman wanted to speak with him . -LRB- 4 -RRB- It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader , that at the period spoken of , the important hour of dinner occurred very nearly at noon . ` Request him , with my compliments , to walk in , ' said O'Connor ; and in a few moments a gentleman entered the room .