eight in
the morning
Her travelling-toilet was completed ; her ladies were with her in the reception-room , filled with persons forming the cortege of the empress . All entered in mournful silence , and to their bows the empress responded only with a nod . Her eyes , red with weeping , were fixed on the door ; she awaited in suspense the return of King Joseph , who had left the Tuileries at daybreak , and had gone to the gates of Paris to reconnoitre the enemy 's position . At first the departure was to have taken place at eight in the morning ; now it was past nine , and King Joseph had not yet returned . This unexpected delay increased the anxiety . None dared interrupt the breathless silence reigning in the apartment ; only here and there some one whispered , and , whenever a door opened , all started and turned anxiously toward it , as if expecting a bearer of sad tidings . The face of the empress was pale and agitated ; her form trembled ; at times she turned toward her ladies , who stood behind her , and addressed to them some almost inaudible question , not waiting for a reply , but looking again toward the door , or inclining her head on her bosom .