three o'clock
`` Not for some time , sir . Perhaps , if you 're cold , a hot Scotch -- '' But Crabbe was again buried in his work . At one he dined , very much admired by Mme. Prefontaine and her three daughters ; he had his innocent tipple and then went back to his room . By three o'clock it was growing dark and he rose to pull down the blind , when a step outside in the hall arrested him . The step seemed familiar , yet incongruous and uncongenial ; it was followed by a knock , and , going forward , Crabbe opened the door to Ringfield . Astonishment showed in the Englishman 's face , but he spoke amiably enough and invited the young man inside . Ringfield 's countenance wore its perennial grave aspect , but it could also be seen that at that moment he was suffering from the cold .