three in the morning
This produced a feeling of irritation , and despair of ever reaching my destination ; and the mirth and careless hilarity of the people round us chafed with bitter contrast on my depressed spirits . I inquired from the post-boy what was the origin of so great a commotion , and understood him to say in reply that it was a religious festival held annually in honour of `` Our Lady of the Grotto . '' I can not , however , conceive of any truly religious person countenancing such a gathering , which seemed to me rather like the unclean orgies of a heathen deity than an act of faith of Christian people . This disturbance occasioned us so serious a delay , that as we were climbing the steep slope leading up to Posilipo it was already three in the morning and the dawn was at hand . After mounting steadily for a long time we began to rapidly descend , and just as the sun came up over the sea we arrived at the Villa de Angelis . I sprang from the carriage , and passing through a trellis of vines , reached the house . A man-servant was in waiting , and held the door open for me ; but he was an Italian , and did not understand me when I asked in English where Sir John Maltravers was .