six in the morning
There he lay , feeble , and frightened at every noise , surrounded with filth , and covered with vermin , scarcely knowing day from night , -- with no voice near to rouse him , no candle in the longest winter nights , no books , no play , no desire for any of these things , no cheerful thoughts in his own mind , and his weak body feverish and aching . Was any poor man 's child ever so miserable ? Let us pass on to a brighter day , which came at last . On the 28th of July following , there was much noise in the streets , and bustle in the prison , so early as six in the morning ; and some finely-dressed gentlemen entered the poor boy 's room . He did not know who they were ; and they said little , and soon went away . They were , however , sufficiently impressed with what they saw to take some measures for Louis 's relief . They had been sent by the Convention , on the downfall and death of the great revolutionary leader , Robespierre , to see what was the state of things at the Temple ; and in consequence of their report , a person named Laurent was appointed to visit the royal children .