eight in the
morning
It has been prompted by motives which you could not disapprove . I remain , my dear sir , With the sincerest respect and regard , Your obedient and humble servant , A. HAMILTON . Hamilton folded and sealed the letter , then determined to take it to the post-office himself . The night was hot and his head was throbbing : he had worked , dined , wined , talked , and written , since eight in the morning , with no interval for fresh air or exercise . He was not tired , but very nervous , and after he had disposed of his letter , he set off for a stroll along the river front , and walked for two miles up the quiet road on the east side , listening to the lap of the water , and pausing to watch the superb effect of the moonlight on the bright ripples and on the wooded heights of Long Island . The little village of Brooklyn twinkled here and there for a time , then lay like a sombre shadow in the silences of her forest . As he returned , there was not a light anywhere , except now and again at a masthead , for it was very late .