eight o'clock
She profited by a moment of solitude to write to Gaston , as we have seen . Then she left this dwelling which had become dear to her , for there she had found her father and received her lover . As to Gaston , he waited vainly at the barrier , till , giving up all hope , he returned to the hotel . As he crossed the garden of the Tuileries , eight o'clock struck . At that moment Dubois entered the regent 's bedchamber with a portfolio under his arm , and a triumphant smile on his face . `` Ah ! it is you , Dubois , '' exclaimed the regent , as his minister entered .