the hour of three
Phaddhy 's heart was now on the point of taking its rest , when it occurred to him that there yet remained one circumstance in which he might utterly eclipse his rival , and that was to ask Captain Wilson , his landlord , to meet their Reverences at dinner . He accordingly went over to him , for he only lived a few fields distant , having first communicated the thing privately to Katty , and requested that , as their Reverences that day held a station in his house , and would dine there , he would have the kindness to dine along with them . To this the Captain , who was intimate with both the clergymen , gave a ready compliance , and Phaddhy returned home in high spirits . In the meantime , the two priests were busy in the work of absolution ; the hour of three had arrived , and they had many to shrive ; but , in the course of a short time , a reverend auxiliary made his appearance , accompanied by one of Father Philemy 's nephews , who was then about to enter Maynooth . This clerical gentleman had been appointed to a parish ; but , owing to some circumstances which were known only in the distant part of the diocese where he had resided , he was deprived of it , and had , at the period I am writing of , no appointment in the church , though he was in full orders . If I mistake not , he incurred his bishop 's displeasure by being too warm an advocate for Domestic Nomination , * a piece of discipline , the re-establishment of which was then attempted by the junior clergymen of the diocese wherein the scene of this station is laid . Be this as it may , he came in time to assist the gentlemen in absolving those penitents -LRB- as we must call them so -RRB- who still remained unconfessed .