Seven o’clock
At first , before collecting his thoughts , he could not imagine what he had on his mind -- was it that he had spoken ill of Angela Vivian ? It brought him extraordinary relief to remember that he had gone to bed in extreme ill-humor with his exploits at roulette . After he had dressed himself and just as he was leaving his room , a servant brought him a note superscribed in Gordon 's hand -- a note of which the following proved to be the contents . `` Seven o'clock , A.M. `` My dear Bernard : Circumstances have determined me to leave Baden immediately , and I shall take the train that starts an hour hence . I am told that you came in very late last night , so I wo n't disturb you for a painful parting at this unnatural hour . I came to this decision last evening , and I put up my things ; so I have nothing to do but to take myself off . I shall go to Basel , but after that I do n't know where , and in so comfortless an uncertainty I do n't ask you to follow me .