nine o'clock
Whenever this happened the little crowd dispersed immediately as though some urgent business had suddenly occurred to each member of it . It was late in the afternoon when the Countess returned home , and before she retired to her private rooms she gave instructions for certain servants , whom she mentioned by name , to be in readiness , as she would require them presently . She had a small reception that evening and was the most brilliant , as she was the most frivolous , among her brilliant and frivolous guests . Yet before nine o'clock Baron Petrescu had received some closely written sheets in her handwriting , and knew much of what had happened in Sturatzberg that day . But not all ; that was , of course , impossible . In dark corners of the city through which it was dangerous to travel after nightfall , there were dismal houses , behind the fast-closed doors of which ready orators held the attention of eager listeners . The time was near .