nine o’clock
This thought was the last expiring movement of the spirit of the world , which had slowly and insensibly become extinguished in Godefroid . On reflection he saw that the united fortunes of Madame de la Chanterie , Messieurs Alain , Nicolas , Joseph , and that of Judge Popinot , the gifts obtained through the Abbe de Veze , and the assistance lent by the firm of Mongenod must produce a large capital ; and that this capital , increased during the last dozen years by grateful returns from those assisted , must have grown like a snowball , inasmuch as the charitable stewards of it spent so little on themselves . Little by little he began to see clearly into this vast work , and his desire to co-operate in it increased . He was preparing at nine o'clock to return on foot to the boulevard du Mont-Parnasse ; but Madame de la Chanterie , fearing the solitude of that neighborhood at a late hour , made him take a cab . When he reached the house Godefroid heard the sound of an instrument , though the shutters were so carefully closed that not a ray of light issued through them . As soon as he reached the landing , Auguste , who was probably on the watch for him , opened the door of Monsieur Bernard 's apartment and said : -- `` Mamma would like to see you , and my grandfather offers you a cup of tea . '' When Godefroid entered , the patient seemed to him transfigured by the pleasure she felt in making music ; her face was radiant , her eyes were sparkling like diamonds .