midnight
-- And the little man 's rage was redoubled by the attitude of Madame Chebe , smiling maternally upon one and all in her scarab-hued dress . Furthermore , there were at this , as at almost all wedding-parties , two distinct currents which came together but without mingling . One of the two soon gave place to the other . The Fromonts , who irritated Monsieur Chebe so much and who formed the aristocracy of the ball , the president of the Chamber of Commerce , the syndic of the solicitors , a famous chocolate-manufacturer and member of the Corps Legislatif , and the old millionaire Gardinois , all retired shortly after midnight . Georges Fromont and his wife entered their carriage behind them . Only the Risler and Chebe party remained , and the festivity at once changed its aspect , becoming more uproarious . The illustrious Delobelle , disgusted to see that no one called upon him for anything , decided to call upon himself for something , and began in a voice as resonant as a gong the monologue from Ruy Blas : `` Good appetite , Messieurs ! ''