four o'clock precisely
The death of Monsieur de Nevers had left a vacancy which was to be filled by the nomination of the Prince de Cellamare . The fact was , that Madame de Maine had thought it safer to cover this political meeting with a frivolous pretext , feeling sure that a fete in the gardens at Sceaux would appear less suspicious in the eyes of Dubois and Messire Voyer d'Argenson than an assembly at the Arsenal . Thus , as will be seen , nothing had been forgotten to give its old splendor to the order of the honey-bee . At four o'clock precisely , the time fixed for the ceremony , the doors of the room opened , and they perceived , in a salon hung with crimson satin , spangled with silver bees , the beautiful fairy Ludovic seated on a throne raised on three steps . She made a gesture with her golden wand , and all her court , passing into the salon , arranged themselves in a half circle round her throne , on the steps of which the dignitaries of the order placed themselves . After the initiation of the Prince de Cellamare as a knight of the honey-bee , a second door was opened , displaying a room brilliantly lighted , where a splendid supper was laid . The new knight of the order offered his hand to the fairy , and conducted her to the supper-room followed by the assistants .