one o'clock
Then followed brilliant flashes of wit , or what was thought to be wit . To these succeeded the song , the jest , the story , -- and to these again the sparkling wine-cup . Gayly thus passed the hours , until midnight stole quietly upon the thoughtless revellers . Surprised , on reference to his watch , to find that it was one o'clock , Armour arose and begged to be excused . `` I move that our guest be excused on one condition , '' said the friend who had brought him to the company . `` And that is , on his promise to meet with us again , on this evening next week . '' `` What do you think of the condition ? ''