 It was a splendid afternoon, and it was exactly five o'clock.  Mark that.  Not that there is anything singular about the mere fact, neither is it in any way mixed up with the thread of this tale; but old Agnes is very obstinate--singularly positive--and I have a special desire that she should see it in print, that I have not given in on that point.  Yes, it was five precisely, and a beautiful evening.  I was ruminating, as I frequently do, on the pleasant memories of bygone days, especially the happy days that I spent long ago among the coral islands of the Pacific, when a tap at the door aroused me.