about nine o'clock
And overhead , the angry sunset clouds were fading into a dim and star-strewn heaven , above a world sinking to its rest . * * * * * The moon was up before Radowitz came back to the little rectory on the other side of the moor . Sorell , from whose mind he was seldom absent , had begun to worry about him , was in fact on the point of setting out in search of him . But about nine o'clock he heard the front gate open and jumping down from the low open window of the rectory drawing-room he went to meet the truant . Radowitz staggered towards him , and clung to his arm . `` My dear fellow , '' cried Sorell , aghast at the bay 's appearance and manner -- `` what have you been doing to yourself ? '' `` I went up the moor for a walk after tea -- it was so gorgeous , the clouds and the view .