about seven o'clock
`` It is very bad , indeed , sir , '' returned the man , giving him the money and the paper he had been preparing ; `` but if you should have occasion to call again upon me , perhaps you may be astonished still further . '' The count bowed ; and thanking him for his kindness , wished him a good evening and left the shop . -LSB- Footnote : The whole of this scene at the pawnbroker 's is too true ; the writer knows it from an eye and ear - witness . -RSB- It was about seven o'clock when Thaddeus arrived at the apothecary 's . Mr. Vincent was from home . To say the truth , he had purposely gone out of the way . For though he did not hesitate to commit a shabby action , he wanted courage to face its consequence ; and to avoid the probable remonstrances of Mrs. Robson , he commissioned his assistant to receive the amount of the bill .