one o'clock
I need something to eat , I am terribly hungry . '' When Pierre and M. de Guersaint at last left their rooms , and went down-stairs , they found to their annoyance that there was not the smallest table-corner vacant in the large dining-room . A most extraordinary mob had assembled there , and the few seats that were still unoccupied were reserved . A waiter informed them that the room never emptied between ten and one o'clock , such was the rush of appetite , sharpened by the keen mountain air . So they had to resign themselves to wait , requesting the waiter to warn them as soon as there should be a couple of vacant places . Then , scarcely knowing what to do with themselves , they went to walk about the hotel porch , whence there was a view of the street , along which the townsfolk , in their Sunday best , streamed without a pause . All at once , however , the landlord of the Hotel of the Apparitions , Master Majeste in person , appeared before them , clad in white from head to foot ; and with a great show of politeness he inquired if the gentlemen would like to wait in the drawing-room .