about seven o’clock
A pool of blood on the steps near his head gave rise to grave fears . Was it a case of accident , or had there been a crime ? It was , however , soon recognized as a case of epilepsy , and identification and proper measures for restoration followed one another , owing to a fortunate circumstance . Colia Ivolgin had come back to his hotel about seven o'clock , owing to a sudden impulse which made him refuse to dine at the Epanchins ' , and , finding a note from the prince awaiting him , had sped away to the latter 's address . Arrived there , he ordered a cup of tea and sat sipping it in the coffee-room . While there he heard excited whispers of someone just found at the bottom of the stairs in a fit ; upon which he had hurried to the spot , with a presentiment of evil , and at once recognized the prince . The sufferer was immediately taken to his room , and though he partially regained consciousness , he lay long in a semi-dazed condition .