about one in the morning
They reached the Austrian embassy . The Comte de Rastignac saw the minister of the interior in one of the salons and went to talk with him in a corner . Comte Maxime de Trailles , meantime , was apparently engrossed by the old Comtesse de Listomere , but he was , in reality , following the course of the conversation between the two peers of France ; he watched their gestures , interpreted their looks , and ended by catching a favorable glance cast upon him by the minister . Maxime and Rastignac left the embassy together about one in the morning , and before getting into their respective carriages , Rastignac said to Maxime on the steps of the portico : `` Come and see me just before the elections . Between now and then I shall know in what locality the chances of the ministry are worst , and what resources two heads like yours and mine can find there . '' `` But my twenty-five thousand francs are needed , '' replied de Trailles . `` Well , you must hide yourself , that 's all . ''