eleven
o'clock
He hastened down and found the three functionaries busy conferring in a low voice with Manette and Claudet . The conversation ceased suddenly upon his arrival , and during the embarrassing silence that followed , all eyes were directed toward Julien , who saluted the company and delivered to the justice the documents proving his identity , begging him to proceed without delay to the legal breaking of the seals . They accordingly began operations , and went through all the house without interruption , accompanied by Claudet , who stood stiff and sullen behind the justice , taking advantage of every little opportunity to testify his dislike and ill-feeling toward the legal heir of Claude de Buxieres . Toward eleven o'clock , the proceedings came to an end , the papers were signed , and Julien was regularly invested with his rights . But the tiresome formalities were not yet over : he had to invite the three officials to breakfast . This event , however , had been foreseen by Manette . Since early morning she had been busy preparing a bountiful repast , and had even called Julien de Buxieres aside in order to instruct him in the hospitable duties which his position and the customs of society imposed upon him .