the
hour of three
Freed from the restraint of the ladies , the talk now became extremely noisy , the blue smoke from the long cigars filled the great apartment ; one only remained untouched , that placed before Felix . Suddenly it struck him that thus sitting alone and apart , he should attract attention ; he , therefore , drew his chair to the verge of the group , but remained silent , and as far off as ever . Presently the arrival of five more guests caused a stir and confusion , in the midst of which he escaped into the open air . He wandered towards the gate of the wall , passing the wooden shed where the clink of hammers resounded , glanced at the sundial , which showed the hour of three -LRB- three weary hours had they feasted -RRB- , and went out into the gardens . Still going on , he descended the slope , and not much heeding whither he was going , took the road that led into town . It consisted of some hundred or more houses , built of wood and thatched , placed without plan or arrangement on the bank of the stream . Only one long street ran through it , the rest were mere by-ways .