four o’clock
By his side , with dignified steps , walked his belovèd , dressed with great magnificence , Tekla Hreczecha : for the Assessor had long ago abandoned Telimena , and , the more deeply to wound that coquette , he had turned his heart 's devotion to the Seneschal 's daughter . The bride was not over young , she had perhaps already seen half a century go by ; but she was a good housekeeper and a dignified and well-to-do person , for , aside from her ancestral village , her dowry had been increased by a little sum presented to her by the Judge . For the third pair they waited vainly , a long time . The Judge grew impatient and sent servants ; they returned and reported that the third bridegroom , the Notary , when looking for the rabbit , had lost his wedding ring , and was now looking for it in the meadow ; meanwhile the Notary 's lady was still at her dressing-table , and , though she was herself hurrying and was being aided by the serving women , she had been absolutely unable to finish her toilet : she would scarcely be ready by four o'clock . The last old-Polish banquet -- The state centrepiece -- Explanation of its figures -- Its transformations -- Dombrowski receives a present -- More of Penknife -- Kniaziewicz receives a present -- The first official act of Thaddeus on receiving his inheritance -- Remarks of Gerwazy -- The concert of concerts -- The polonaise -- Let us love one another ! FINALLY with a crash the doors of the hall were thrown wide open , and the Seneschal entered , wearing a cap , and with his head held high ; he did not greet the company nor take his place at the table , for to-day the Seneschal emerged in a new character , as Marshal of the Court ; he bore a wand in sign of office , and with this wand he indicated to each in turn his place and showed the guests their seats . First of all , as the highest in authority in the wojewodeship , the Chamberlain-Marshal took the place of honour , a velvet chair with ivory arms ; next him on the right sat General Dombrowski , and on the left Kniaziewicz , Pac ,203 and Malachowski .