midnight
Apologizing to my worthy friends for a brief absence , which they assured me should be devoted to expatiating on those virtues of my character which my presence interdicted them from enlarging upon , I arose , and left the room . It was necessary to arrange the disorder of my dress and appearance , and I made a hurried dressing , bathing my temples in cold water , and composing myself , so far as might be , into a condition fit to meet the eyes of royalty , -- two of my friends accompanying me the while , and lending their assistance to my toilet . They at length pronounced me perfect , and I drove off . Although already past midnight , the King , with several members of the royal family , were seated at tea : two of the ministers , a few general officers , and a foreign ambassador being of the party . Into this circle , in which there was nothing to inspire awe , save the actual rank of the illustrious personages themselves , I was now introduced by the Minister of War . `` Le Comte de Creganne , please your Majesty , '' said he , twice , ere the King heard him . `` Ah , very true , '' said the King , turning round , and , with a smile of most cordial expression , adding , `` My dear Count , it seems I had forgotten to sign your appointment , -- a mistake that might have caused you some inconvenience and delay at Algiers .