nine o'clock
They entered through an archway , there being no doors on the street . There was a spacious area , or court-yard , through which alone the house could be reached . In other respects the establishment was similar to those in the United States . On the continent , as in England , none but working people take breakfast much before nine o'clock , and the hour varies from this time till noon . Of late years the practice in American hotels corresponds with that of European ones . In the dining-room of the Hotel de l'Europe there are many small tables , and one or two long ones , the latter being used at table d'hôte , which is served at five o'clock . A hotel bill is added , to give the reader an idea of the prices : -- `` HOTEL DE L'EUROPE .