eight o'clock in winter
Pertinax de Montcrabeau , and the singular servant who spoke to him so familiarly , were preparing supper for themselves and six companions , who had each contributed six sous toward it ; each one , in fact , was disposing according to his fancy of the money of his majesty Henri III . One might judge of the character of each man by the aspect of his little lodging . Some loved flowers , and displayed on their window-sills some fading rose or geranium ; others had , like the king , a taste for pictures ; others had introduced a niece or housekeeper ; and M. d'Epernon had told M. de Loignac privately to shut his eyes on these things . At eight o'clock in winter , and ten in summer , they went to bed ; but always leaving fifteen on guard . As , however , it was but half-past five when St. Maline entered , he found every one about , and , as we said , gastronomically inclined . But with one word he put an end to all this : `` To horse , gentlemen , '' said he ; and leaving them without another word , went to explain his orders to MM . de Biron and Chalabre .