four o'clock
A sad lot for anyone on intimate terms with the Count d'Orsay and the Duke of Gramont-Caderousse ! Without the kindness of the Emperor , where would I have been ? `` One morning in the spring of 1852 , I was in my study opening my mail . There was a letter from His Majesty , calling me to the Tuileries at four o'clock ; a letter from Clémentine , informing me that she expected me at five o'clock at her house . Clémentine was the beautiful one for whom , just then , I was ready to commit any folly . I was so proud of her that , one evening at the _ Maison Dorée _ , I flaunted her before Prince Metternich , who was tremendously taken with her . All the court envied me that conquest ; and I was morally obliged to continue to assume its expenses .