about seven o'clock in the evening
At last her object was accomplished , and she repaired to the parlour to re-light the candle which had been extinguished , and await the return of her master . After sundry ejaculations and sundry wonders , she took possession of his arm-chair , poked the fire , and helped herself to a glass of whisky-toddy . As soon as her clothes and her tumbler were again dry , she announced by loud snores that she was in a happy state of oblivion ; in which we shall leave her , to follow the motions of Edward Forster . It was about seven o'clock in the evening , when Forster thus exposed himself to the inclemency of the weather . But a few weeks before how beautiful were the evenings at this hour ; the sun disappearing beyond the distant wave , and leaving a portion of his glory behind him until the stars , in obedience to the divine fiat , were lighted up to `` shine by night ; '' the sea rippling on the sand , or pouring into the crevices of the rocks , changing its hue , as daylight slowly disappeared , to the more sombre colours it reflected , from azure to each deeper tint of grey , until darkness closed in , and its extent was scarcely to be defined by the horizontal line . Now all was changed , The roaring of the wind and the hoarse beating of the waves upon the streaming rocks deafened the ears of Edward Forster . The rain and spray were hurled in his face , as , with both hands , he secured his hat upon his head ; and the night was so intensely dark , that but occasionally he could distinguish the broad belt of foam with which the coast was lined .