nine o'clock
Madame Caterna was quite as glorious in her array . She had easily discovered a bridesmaid 's costume in her wardrobe , bodice with intercrossing stripes , short petticoat in green woolen , mauve stockings , straw hat with artificial flowers , a suspicion of black on the eyelids and of rouge on the cheeks . There you have the provincial stage beauty , and if she and her husband like to play a village piece after the breakfast , I can promise them bravos enough . It was at nine o'clock that this marriage was to take place , announced by the bell of the tender , which was to sound full clang as if it were a chapel bell . With a little imagination , we could believe we were in a village . But whither did this bell invite the witnesses and guests ? Into the dining car , which had been conveniently arranged for the ceremony , as I had taken good care .