one
o'clock
He sighed with relief , and in the same breath cursed himself and the conventions which compelled such cunning . In a rational world he could have knocked him down . Once again that evening they came face to face . It was late -- past one o'clock -- and the governor issuing from the smoking-room met Ludlow at the threshold . No one was within earshot ; fate itself seemed to have ordered the meeting , and till that moment Shelby had desired to confront Ludlow with a fierce desire . Yet they passed with a nod . Long uncertain before many offering courses , Shelby on the instant made his choice .