eight o’clock
`` You are mistaken , monsieur , '' cried Brigitte , springing forward and seizing his arm . `` Monsieur Felix is not here . He will probably come later to a reception we are about to give ; but at present he has not arrived . '' `` They do n't begin early , your receptions , '' said the old man ; `` it is past eight o'clock . Well , as Monsieur Felix is coming later , you must allow me to wait for him . I believe you were eating your dinners ; do n't let me disturb you . '' And he went back peaceably to his chair .