a quarter past six
When they met again , as it was growing dark , they began to laugh at seeing each other as dandified and smart as on the day of a grand review . The commandant 's hair did not look as gray as it did in the morning , and the captain had shaved -- had only kept his mustache on , which made him look as if he had a streak of fire under his nose . In spite of the rain , they left the window open , and one of them went to listen from time to time . At a quarter past six the baron said he heard a rumbling in the distance . They all rushed down , and soon the wagon drove up at a gallop with its four horses , splashed up to their backs , steaming and panting . Five women got out at the bottom of the steps , five handsome girls whom a comrade of the captain , to whom Le Dervoir had taken his card , had selected with care . They had not required much pressing , as they were sure of being well treated , for they had got to know the Prussians in the three months during which they had had to do with them .