about four o'clock
`` O ciel ! expliquez-vous , quoi toujours me troubler , Se peut-il ? '' `` Dieu puissant , que ne puis-je parler ? '' About three weeks before the 1st of March , which was the day fixed upon for our removal to town , I had been taking a long ride , and came home at about four o'clock . My habit was wet and heavy , and I walked with difficulty across the hall , up-stairs , and along the passage which led to my room . As I was passing before the door of what was called the south bed-room , my eyes suddenly fell on two trunks covered with mud , and on the brass plates of which was stamped the name of `` Edward Middleton , Esq. '' At the same moment the door opened , and he stood before me . I felt myself turning as white as a sheet , and was obliged to lean against the wall to prevent myself from falling .