six o’clock
It was studded with yellow flowers on a blood-colored background . He was soon perfectly at ease , and complimented Madame Martin on the elegance of her travelling attire . `` Excuse me , ladies , '' he added , `` I was afraid I should be late . I went to six o'clock mass at Saint Severin , my parish , in the Virgin Chapel , under those pretty , but absurd columns that point toward heaven though frail as reeds-like us , poor sinners that we are . '' `` Ah , '' said Madame Martin , `` you are pious to-day . '' And she asked him whether he wore the cordon of the order which he was founding . He assumed a grave and penitent air .