Nine o’clock
queried the notary , handing the object in question to his client . `` No , monsieur , I am compelled to send you away . Mme. d'Aiglemont wishes to join her children , and I shall have the honor of escorting her . '' `` Nine o'clock already ! Time goes like a shadow in pleasant company , '' said the man of law , who had talked on end for the past hour . He looked for his hat , planted himself before the fire , with a suppressed hiccough ; and , without heeding the Marquise 's withering glances , spoke once more to his impatient client : `` To sum up , my lord Marquis . Business before all things .