about seven
o’clock
The Hours had fled on feet so light that none had marked their pace . The two Parisians they spoke of as perfect prodigies . These exaggerated reports loudly proclaimed on the Mall brought sixteen persons to Anzy that evening , some in family coaches , some in wagonettes , and a few bachelors on hired saddle horses . By about seven o'clock this provincial company had made a more or less graceful entry into the huge Anzy drawing-room , which Dinah , warned of the invasion , had lighted up , giving it all the lustre it was capable of by taking the holland covers off the handsome furniture , for she regarded this assembly as one of her great triumphs . Lousteau , Bianchon , and Dinah exchanged meaning looks as they studied the attitudes and listened to the speeches of these visitors , attracted by curiosity . What invalided ribbons , what ancestral laces , what ancient flowers , more imaginative than imitative , were boldly displayed on some perennial caps ! The Presidente Boirouge , Bianchon 's cousin , exchanged a few words with the doctor , from whom she extracted some `` advice gratis '' by expatiating on certain pains in the chest , which she declared were nervous , but which he ascribed to chronic indigestion .