seven o'clock
Arthur felt ill and much fatigued when he retired to rest , and was restless and disturbed with fever throughout the night . He had overtasked his delicate frame , yet scarce recovered from the effects of recent suffering , and he arose in the morning with a feeling of prostration that he could with difficulty overcome . However , he refreshed himself with a cup of tea , and prepared to call upon Miss Ayleff . It was but seven o'clock , a somewhat early hour for a morning visit , but the occasion was one for little ceremony . As he was on the point of leaving his room , there was a peremptory knock at the door , and , upon his invitation to walk in , a stranger entered . It was a gentlemanly personage , with a searching eye and a calm and quiet manner . Arthur was vexed to be delayed , but received the intruder with a civil inclination of the head , somewhat surprised , however , that no card had been sent to give him intimation of the visit .