about seven o’clock in the
morning
He returned , profoundly irritated , to Nantes . Irritation , with this vigorous man , usually vented itself in impetuous attack , which few people , hitherto , were they king , were they giants , had been able to resist . Trembling with rage , he went straight to the castle , and asked an audience with the king . It might be about seven o'clock in the morning , and , since his arrival at Nantes , the king had been an early riser . But on arriving at the corridor with which we are acquainted , D'Artagnan found M. de Gesvres , who stopped him politely , telling him not to speak too loud and disturb the king . `` Is the king asleep ? '' said D'Artagnan .