two to five o'clock
Within two days the town of Alencon had been agitated by such startling events that certain good women were heard to remark that the world was coming to an end . This last news , however , resolved itself into a single question , `` What is happening at the Cormons ? '' The Abbe de Sponde , adroitly questioned when he left Saint-Leonard 's to take his daily walk with the Abbe Couturier , replied with his usual kindliness that he expected the Vicomte de Troisville , a nobleman in the service of Russia during the Emigration , who was returning to Alencon to settle there . From two to five o'clock a species of labial telegraphy went on throughout the town ; and all the inhabitants learned that Mademoiselle Cormon had at last found a husband by letter , and was about to marry the Vicomte de Troisville . Some said , `` Moreau has sold them a bed . '' The bed was six feet wide in that quarter ; it was four feet wide at Madame Granson 's , in the rue du Bercail ; but it was reduced to a simple couch at Monsieur du Ronceret 's , where du Bousquier was dining . The lesser bourgeoisie declared that the cost was eleven hundred francs .