the hour of seven
And Isaacson , who was again in town , was beginning to wonder , too . During the season the Doctor was very busy . Many Americans and foreigners desired to consult him . He adhered to his rule , and never admitted a patient to his house after half-past five had struck , yet his work was seldom over before the hour of seven . He could not see Nigel often , because he could not see any one often ; but he had seen him more than once , more than once he had heard gossip about him , and he realized , partly through knowledge , and partly through instinct , his situation with Mrs. Chepstow . Nigel longed to be frank with Isaacson , yet told him very little , held back by some strange reserve , subtly inculcated , perhaps , by the woman . Other men told Isaacson far too much , drawing evil inferences with the happy laughter of the beast and not of the angel .