ten o’clock
In a short time they arrived at their destination , and throwing the reins to the groom , O'Grady dashed up stairs and in an instant had his wife in his arms . She remonstrated with him about coming in on such a terrible day , but descended to the drawing-room , and , having welcome Mr. Churchill to her house , ordered the servant to set the table for dinner . Just then the groom entered the house to enquire when the carriage would be required in the evening , and the appearance of his nose set the whole party laughing heartily ; his proboscis had assumed a deep red hue , and was swollen to an enormous size , giving him a most comical appearance . O'Grady ordered him to bring the carriage round at ten o'clock , and , dinner just then being announced , they prepared , in true English fashion , to celebrate the Nativity . After dinner , Mrs. O'Grady entertained the gentlemen with music , and , having chatted on various topics very pleasantly they were aroused to the fact that the evening social intercourse must draw to an end by the clanging of the door-bell announcing the arrival of the groom from the neighboring livery-stable with the horses . Taking an affectionate leave of his wife , and promising to come into Montreal to dinner on the following Sunday , O'Grady mounted the box , followed by the light-hearted Churchill , and cracking his whip was soon speeding rapidly along into the howling storm . Churchill lit another cigar , and shut his eyes to avoid the blinding snowdrifts , while the driver was with difficulty enabled to see his way .