eight o’clock in the
morning
`` Well , madame '' -- the proprietor displayed some slight confusion -- `` I really can hardly say . The _ maître d'hôtel _ can perhaps inform you . '' Mrs. Greyne turned her ox-like eyes upon the enlarged edition of Napoleon the First . `` Monsieur Greyne seldom returns before seven or eight o'clock in the morning , madame . He then retires to bed , and comes down to breakfast at about four o'clock in the afternoon . '' Mrs. Greyne was touched to the very quick . Her husband was sacrificing his rest , his health -- nay , perhaps even his very life -- in her service .