eight o’clock
One fear had taken possession of her ; that of being discovered here by him if he should open the door ; and the agitation produced by the struggle between her rebellious pride and a desire to show her submission caused her to grow hot and cold by turns , with sensations until now unknown to her . For an instant her desire for reconciliation was so strong that she was on the point of knocking . Then , as footsteps approached , she ran precipitately away . Until eight o'clock Clotilde was agitated by an ever-increasing impatience . At every instant she looked at the clock on the mantelpiece of her room ; an Empire clock of gilded bronze , representing Love leaning against a pillar , contemplating Time asleep . Eight was the hour at which she generally descended to the dining-room to breakfast with the doctor . And while waiting she made a careful toilette , arranged her hair , and put on another morning gown of white muslin with red spots .