seven o'clock
They found the countess seated as usual , at the corner of the great fireplace in her salon , a room almost as unpretentious as the other salons in Carentan ; for , in order not to wound the narrow view of her guests , she denied herself the luxuries to which she was accustomed . The floor of her reception room was not even waxed , the walls were still hung with dingy tapestries ; she used the country furniture , burned tallow candles , and followed the customs of the town , -- adopting provincial life , and not shrinking from its pettiness or its many disagreeable privations . Knowing , however , that her guests would pardon luxuries if provided for their own comfort , she neglected nothing which conduced to their personal enjoyment , and gave them , more especially , excellent dinners . Toward seven o'clock on this memorable evening , her guests were all assembled in a wide circle around the fireplace . The mistress of the house , sustained in her part by the sympathizing glances of the old merchant , submitted with wonderful courage to the minute questioning and stupid , or frivolous , comments of her visitors . At every rap upon her door , every footfall echoing in the street , she hid her emotions by starting topics relating to the interests of the town , and she raised such a lively discussion on the quality of ciders , which was ably seconded by the old merchant , that the company almost forgot to watch her , finding her countenance quite natural , and her composure imperturbable . The public prosecutor and one of the judges of the revolutionary tribunal was taciturn , observing attentively every change in her face ; every now and then they addressed her some embarrassing question , to which , however , the countess answered with admirable presence of mind .