six o’clock
in the morning
I hope you will retain this virtue . '' He bowed pleasantly to the prefect , and offered him his hand . He then dismissed him , and ordered the ministers to enter with their reports and proposals . After these came the council , and only after the king had worked with them uninterruptedly for three hours , did he think of taking some repose from all this work , which had occupied him from six o'clock in the morning until nearly twelve . He was on the point of entering his library as loud voices in the anteroom arrested his attention . `` But I tell you that the king gives no audiences to-day , '' he heard one of the servants say . `` The king has said that every man who wishes to speak to him shall be admitted ! ''