ten o'clock
About nine o'clock in the evening of this day the two vast folding-doors of this hôtel opened on the arrival of a magnificent chariot , which , after having taken a dashing turn in the spacious courtyard , stopped before the large covered flight of steps which led to the first antechamber . Whilst the hoofs of two powerful and high-couraged horses sounded on the echoing pavement , a gigantic footman opened the door , emblazoned with armorial bearings , and a young man alighted gracefully from this brilliant carriage , and no less gracefully walked up the five or six steps of the entrance . This young man was the Vicomte de Saint-Remy . On leaving his creditor , who , satisfied with the undertaking of Florestan 's father , had granted the required delay , and was to come and receive his money at ten o'clock in the Rue de Chaillot , M. de Saint-Remy had gone to Madame de Lucenay 's , to thank her for the fresh service she had rendered him , and , not having seen the duchess during the morning , he came triumphant , certain of finding her in _ prima sera _ , the hour which she constantly reserved for him . By the attention of the footmen in the antechamber , who hastened to open the glass door as soon as they saw Florestan 's carriage , by the profoundly respectful air with which the rest of the livery all rose as the vicomte passed by , and by certain , yet almost imperceptible touches , it was evident that here was the second , or , rather , the real master of the house . When the Duc de Lucenay returned home , with his umbrella in his hand and his feet protected by clumsy goloshes -LRB- he hated going out in a carriage in the daytime -RRB- , the same domestic evolutions were gone through with similar respect ; still , in the eyes of a keen observer , there was a vast difference between the reception accorded to the husband and that reserved for the lover . A corresponding attention displayed itself in the footman 's waiting-room when Florestan entered it , and one of the valets instantly arose to announce him to Madame de Lucenay .