eight o'clock
Together , we descended the grand staircase and entered the room . Her eyes shone at the magnificence of the service set upon the table , at the soldiery array of fine wines , some of them already poured into their proper glasses for my father 's enjoyment : _ Haut Medoc _ , from _ St. Estephe _ , authentic _ Chablis _ , _ Epernay Champagne _ , and an American import from the Napa Valley of which he was fond . I waited expectantly for his appearance as we sipped our aperitif , while Joanna chatted about innocuous matters , with no idea of the tormented state I was in . At eight o'clock , my father had not yet made his appearance , and I grew ever more distraught as Francois signalled for the serving of the _ bouillon au madere _ . Had he changed his mind ? Would I be left to explain my status without his help ? I had n't realized until this moment how difficult a task I had allotted for myself , and the fear of losing Joanna was terrible within me .