4 p.m.
shouted these skilful salesmen , rapidly passing from one glass to another the sugar , lemon , green mint , crushed ice , water , cognac , and fresh pine-apple which compose this refreshing drink . Generally these sounds , addressed to throats made thirsty by the spices they consumed , mingled into one deafening roar . But on this 1st of December these cries were rare . No one thought of eating and drinking , and at 4 p.m. there were many spectators in the crowd who had not taken their customary lunch ! A much more significant fact , even the national passion for gaming was allayed by the general emotion . Thimbles , skittles , and cards were left in their wrappings , and testified that the great event of the day absorbed all attention . Until nightfall a dull , noiseless agitation like that which precedes great catastrophes ran through the anxious crowd .