a few minutes before two o’clock
Why , it was but the other day , the police were sent to disperse a crowd which had gathered round the fanatic , Sergius Thord ; only the people had sufficient sense to disperse themselves . A street-preacher or woman ranter is like a cheap-jack or a dispenser of quack medicines ; -- the mob gathers to such persons out of curiosity , not conviction . '' The secretary made no reply , and went on with other matters awaiting his attention . At a few minutes before two o'clock the Marquis entered his carriage , and was driven to the palace . There he learned that the King was receiving , more or less unofficially , certain foreign ambassadors and noblemen of repute in the Throne-room . A fine band was playing military music in the great open quadrangle in front of the palace , where pillars of rose-marble , straight as the stems of pine-trees , held up fabulous heraldic griffins , clasping between their paws the country 's shield . Flags were flying , -- fountains flashing , -- gay costumes gleamed here and there , -- and the atmosphere was full of brilliancy and gaiety , -- yet the Marquis , on his way to the audience-chamber , was rendered uncomfortably aware of one of those mysterious impressions which are sometimes conveyed to us , we know not how , but which tend to prepare us for surprise and disappointment .