Dear ATEGers,

The other day, I came across the following passage when reading "Uncle
Tom's Cabin".

Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February, two gentlemen were
sitting alone
over their wine, in a well-furnished dining parlor, in the town of P---,
in Kentucky.
There were no servants present, and the gentlemen, with chairs closely
approaching,
seemed to be discussing some subject with great earnestness.

Is "in the afternoon of a chilly day" correct?
Or is it rather archaic and should I say "on the afternoon of a chilly
day" now?

Thanks in advance.

SIRAISI Tomio