seven
o'clock
That scoundrel , Laston , must have stolen them , in revenge for his dismissal . '' He went to the loneliest part of the Green Park , and , stretched at full length upon a bench , abandoned himself to gloomy reflections , with his face hidden by his folded arms . For hours he lay thus , while the bleak March winds whistled loud and shrill in the leafless trees above his head -- while the cold , gray light of the sunless day faded into the shadows of evening . It was past seven o'clock , and the lamps in Piccadilly shone brightly , when he rose , chilled to the bone , and walked away from the park . `` And I am to consider myself rich -- with my pay and fifty pounds a quarter , '' he muttered , with a bitter laugh ; `` and if I find a crack cavalry regiment too expensive , I am to exchange into the line -- turn foot-soldier , and face the scornful looks of all my old acquaintances . No , no , Sir Oswald Eversleigh ; you have brought me up as a gentleman , and a gentleman I will remain to the end of the chapter , let who will pay the cost . It may seem easy to cast me off , Sir Oswald ; but we have not done with each other yet . ''