nine o’clock
Not with the vine-dressers of Montbars in any case should I have heard such drolleries . I should remark that the worthy M. Barreau , to begin with , had caused to be served to us all in his pantry , filled to the ceiling with iced drinks and provisions , a solid lunch well washed down , which put each of us in a good humour that was maintained during the evening by the glasses of punch and champagne pilfered from the trays when dessert was served . The masters , indeed , seemed in less joyous mood than we . So early as nine o'clock , when I arrived at my post , I was struck by the uneasy nervousness apparent on the face of the Nabob , whom I saw walking with M. de Gery through the lighted and empty drawing-rooms , talking quickly and making large gestures . `` I will kill him ! '' he said ; `` I will kill him ! '' The other endeavoured to soothe him ; then madame came in , and the subject of their conversation was changed .