nine o'clock in the evening
The viscount went out to go , in the first place , to his creditor and Madame de Lucenay , whom he did not suspect of having overheard his conversation with Badinot . Lucenay House was one of those princely habitations of the Faubourg Saint Germain which the unobstructed view renders so magnificent . A modern house could have been placed with ease in the space occupied by the staircase of one of these palaces ; and an entire ward on the ground they covered . Toward nine o'clock in the evening of this same day , the enormous gateway was opened to a glittering carriage , which , after having described a scientific curve in the immense court stopped before a covered porch , which led to an antechamber . While the stampings of the two vigorous and mettlesome horses resounded on the pavement , a gigantic footman opened the emblazoned door , and a young man descended slowly from this brilliant vehicle , and not less slowly mounted the five or six steps of the porch . This was the Viscount de Saint Remy . On leaving his creditor , who , satisfied with the engagement made by the Count de Saint Remy , had granted the delay asked , and agreed to come to Rue Chaillot at ten o'clock , Florestan was come to thank Madame de Lucenay for the new service she had rendered ; but , not having met the duchess in the morning , he came in great spirits , certain to find her at the hour she habitually reserved for him .