two
o'clock
He continued wandering about the room with nervous step . He stopped to contemplate stupidly well-known objects that were a part of his equipment ; then he let himself fall into an easy chair as if attacked by sudden weakness . He looked at his watch repeatedly . It was not yet two o'clock . How the time crept ! He wished that , as a stimulant for his nerves , the hour for dressing and going to the ring would come . The people , the noise , the popular curiosity , the desire to show himself calm and happy in the presence of the enthusiastic populace , and above all the very nearness of danger , actual and personal , instantly effaced this anguish of isolation in which the swordsman , without the aid of external excitement , felt something akin to fear .