four o'clock
After passing a sleepless night , and hearing the clock strike six , Jerome took from his table a book , and thus endeavored to pass away the hours before breakfast-time . While thus engaged , a servant entered and handed him a note . Hastily tearing it open , Jerome read as follows : -- `` Sir , -- I owe you an apology for the abrupt manner in which I addressed you last evening , and the inconvenience to which you were subjected by some of my household . If you will honor us with your presence to-day at four o'clock , I shall be most happy to give you due satisfaction . My servant will be waiting with the carriage at half-past three . I am , sir , yours , & c , J. DEVENANT . JEROME FLETCHER , Esq. '' Who this gentleman was , and how he had found out his name and the hotel at which he was stopping , were alike mysteries to Jerome .