about midnight
Hitherto the most startling occurrence in its tranquil existence had been the portentous , meteor-like apparition of the sham Comtesse de l'Ambermesnil . But the catastrophes of this great day were to cast all previous events into the shade , and supply an inexhaustible topic of conversation for Mme. Vauquer and her boarders so long as she lived . In the first place , Goriot and Eugene de Rastignac both slept till close upon eleven o'clock . Mme. Vauquer , who came home about midnight from the Gaite , lay a-bed till half-past ten . Christophe , after a prolonged slumber -LRB- he had finished Vautrin 's first bottle of wine -RRB- , was behindhand with his work , but Poiret and Mlle. Michonneau uttered no complaint , though breakfast was delayed . As for Victorine and Mme. Couture , they also lay late . Vautrin went out before eight o'clock , and only came back just as breakfast was ready .