one o'clock
But they were all received with a terrifying coldness or with absolute silence . There was no reasoning against an intuition . Every human being felt that the verdict was true , and that the judgment , when it came would be right : and recoiled from the smiling gentleman , over whose white head the hempen circle hung like a diabolical glory Dangerfield , who had something of the Napoleonic faculty of never ` making pictures ' to himself , saw this fact in its literality , and acquiesced in it . He was a great favourite with the gaoler , whom , so long as he had the command of his money , he had treated with a frank and convivial magnificence , and who often sat up to one o'clock with him , and enjoyed his stories prodigiously , for the sarcastic man of the world lost none of his amusing qualities : and -- the fatigues of his barren correspondence ended -- slept , and eat , and drank , pretty much as usual . This Giant Despair , who carried the keys at his girdle , did not often get so swell a pilgrim into his castle , and was secretly flattered by his familiarity , and cheered by his devilish gaiety , and was quite willing to make rules bend a little , and the place as pleasant as possible to his distinguished guest , and give him in fact , all his heart could desire , except a chance of escape . ` I 've one move left -- nothing very excellent -- but sometimes , you know , a scurvy card enough will win the trick . Between you and me , my good friend , I have a thing to tell that ` twill oblige my Lord Dunoran very much to hear .