eleven o'clock
Our party was lodging on the third floor . Without knocking at the door , or in any way announcing our presence , I threw open the portals , and the Grandmother was borne through them in triumph . As though of set purpose , the whole party chanced at that moment to be assembled in the General 's study . The time was eleven o'clock , and it seemed that an outing of some sort -LRB- at which a portion of the party were to drive in carriages , and others to ride on horseback , accompanied by one or two extraneous acquaintances -RRB- was being planned . The General was present , and also Polina , the children , the latter 's nurses , De Griers , Mlle. Blanche -LRB- attired in a riding-habit -RRB- , her mother , the young Prince , and a learned German whom I beheld for the first time . Into the midst of this assembly the lacqueys conveyed Madame in her chair , and set her down within three paces of the General ! Good heavens !