nearly two o’clock
He saw few persons , he said ; I must stay and dine with him . I had business ? Then I could attend to it , and would do him the favor to return . Looking at my watch , I found that it was nearly two o'clock -- he had informed me that he dined at four -- and , not to detain the reader with these details , recurring to a very retentive memory , I found myself , two hours afterward , seated at table with the editor of the _ Examiner _ . The table was of ancient , and brilliantly-polished mahogany . The dinner consisted of only two or three dishes , but these were of the best quality , excellently cooked , and served upon china of the most costly description . Coffee followed -- then a great luxury -- and , not only the sugar-dish , cream-jug and other pieces of the service were of silver ; the waiter upon which they rested was of the same material -- heavy , antique , and richly carved .