nine o’clock
`` Beautiful theory of a do-nothing ! '' cried Emile Blondet , laughing . `` No , my dear fellow , I am talking truth . The curfew no longer rings at nine o'clock . Only last night my concierge Ravenouillet gave a party ; and I think I made a great mistake in not accepting the indirect invitation he gave me to be present . '' `` Nevertheless , '' said Joseph Bridau , `` it is certain that if a man does n't mingle in the business , the interests , and the pleasures of our epoch , he can make out of the time he thus saves a pretty capital . Independently of his orders , Dorlange has , I think , a little competence ; so that nothing hinders him from arranging his life to suit himself . ''