one
o'clock at night
It was very late , and Jovial opened the door for the purpose of entering and putting out the lights ; but seeing his master still walking up and down the floor , he retired , and sat yawning while he waited in the hall without . The clock upon the mantel-piece struck one , and Herman Brudenell lighted his own candle to retire , when his steps were arrested by a sound -- a common one enough at other hours and places , only unprecedented at that hour and in that place . It was the roll of carriage wheels upon the drive approaching the house . Who could possibly be coming to this remote country mansion at one o'clock at night ? While Herman Brudenell paused in expectancy , taper in hand , Jovial once more opened the door and looked in . `` Jovial , is that the sound of carriage wheels , or do I only fancy so ? '' asked the young man , `` Carriage wheels , marser , coming right to de house , too ! ''