five to nine o’clock
Before long the Rogron house was completely finished , and the brother and sister then resolved to give several sumptuous dinners , as much to return the civilities they had received as to exhibit their luxury . The invited guests accepted from curiosity only . The first dinner was given to the leading personages of the town ; to Monsieur and Madame Tiphaine , with whom , however the Rogrons had never dined ; to Monsieur and Madame Julliard , senior and junior ; to Monsieur Lesourd , Monsieur le cure , and Monsieur and Madame Galardon . It was one of those interminable provincial dinners , where you sit at table from five to nine o'clock . Madame Tiphaine had introduced into Provins the Parisian custom of taking leave as soon as coffee had been served . On this occasion she had company at home and was anxious to get away . The Rogrons accompanied her husband and herself to the street door , and when they returned to the salon , disconcerted at not being able to keep their chief guests , the rest of the party were preparing to imitate Madame Tiphaine 's fashion with cruel provincial promptness .