seven o’clock
Every one knows the anecdote related by Madame Campan of Marie Antoinette , wife of Louis XVI . One day , being at her toilet , when the chemise was about to be presented to her by one of the assistants , a lady of very ancient family entered and claimed the honor , as she had the right by etiquette ; but , at the moment she was about to fulfil her duty , a lady of higher rank appeared , and in her turn took the garment she was about to offer to the queen ; when a third lady of still higher title came in her turn , and was followed by a fourth , who was no other than the king 's sister . The chemise was in this manner passed from hand to hand , with ceremonies , courtesies , and compliments , before it came to the queen , who , half naked and quite ashamed , was shivering with cold for the great honor of etiquette . 12th , seven o'clock , P.M. -- On coming home this evening , I saw , standing at the door of a house , an old man , whose appearance and features reminded me of my father . There was the same beautiful smile , the same deep and penetrating eye , the same noble bearing of the head , and the same careless attitude . I began living over again the first years of my life , and recalling to myself the conversations of that guide whom God in his mercy had given me , and whom in his severity he had too soon withdrawn . When my father spoke , it was not only to bring our two minds together by an interchange of thought , but his words always contained instruction .