two o'clock
It had not been comprehended by the reddleman that at half-way through the performance the game was continued with the money of another person ; and it was an error which afterwards helped to cause more misfortune than treble the loss in money value could have done . The night was now somewhat advanced ; and Venn plunged deeper into the heath , till he came to a ravine where his van was standing -- a spot not more than two hundred yards from the site of the gambling bout . He entered this movable home of his , lit his lantern , and , before closing his door for the night , stood reflecting on the circumstances of the preceding hours . While he stood the dawn grew visible in the north-east quarter of the heavens , which , the clouds having cleared off , was bright with a soft sheen at this midsummer time , though it was only between one and two o'clock . Venn , thoroughly weary , then shut his door and flung himself down to sleep . The Rencounter by the Pool The July sun shone over Egdon and fired its crimson heather to scarlet . It was the one season of the year , and the one weather of the season , in which the heath was gorgeous .