ten o'clock
`` It will not be necessary for you to present yourselves before ten o'clock , for it was late last night before her majesty retired . Paris was wild at the news of the victory , and the reception at the palace was crowded . Still , I should say that at ten it would be well that you and your companions should attend there , though you may have to wait for an hour or more for an audience . '' At ten o'clock Hector and his companions presented themselves at the palace . Seven hours ' sleep , a warm bath , and the services of the barber , who curled the hair of the two young nobles and sprinkled them all with perfume , did much to restore them , though they were all somewhat stiff , and every bone seemed to ache . They were kept waiting for half an hour , at the end of which time the door of the antechamber was opened and their names were called . The queen , who was still a beautiful woman , was standing talking to a gentleman , in whose attire there were but few symbols that would betray to a stranger that he was an ecclesiastic of high rank .