eight o'clock
They were standing by the marble statue of Ferdinand VII in the Plaza de Armas , waiting for the ceremony of Retrata , to begin in a few moments . The square was made of four gardens , separated by formal walks , with a circular glorieta ; and the gardens , the royal palms and banyans and flambeau trees , were palely lighted by gas lamps which showed , too , the circling procession of carriages about the Plaza . The square itself was filled with sauntering men , a shifting pattern of white linens , broad hats and glimmering cigars , diversified by the uniforms of Spain . At eight o'clock a sergeant 's guard and the band marched smartly into position before the Governor-General 's palace , where they stood at rest until the drums of the barracks announced retreat . Then , at attention , the gun of El Morro sounded , and the band swept into the strains of Philemon et Baucis . Jaime Quintara smiled sceptically at Charles ' periods : Platonic sentiments might satisfy Abbott , he declared , but for himself ... . At this , Remigio insisted on their moving out to inspect the carriages .