six o’clock
Rabourdin waited , not in the conference hall , but in the courtyard , where , in spite of the cold , he resolved to remain and intercept his Excellency as he got into his carriage . The usher of the Chamber had told him that the minister was in the thick of a controversy raised by the nineteen members of the extreme Left , and that the session was likely to be stormy . Rabourdin walked to and for in the courtyard of the palace for five mortal hours , a prey to feverish agitation . At half-past six o'clock the session broke up , and the members filed out . The minister 's chasseur came up to find the coachman . `` Hi , Jean ! '' he called out to him ; `` Monseigneur has gone with the minister of war ; they are going to see the King , and after that they dine together , and we are to fetch him at ten o'clock .