four o’clock
Constance found in her room the gown of cherry velvet in which she had shone for a single night with fleeting splendor . Cesarine cherished a dream of appearing before Popinot in the identical ball-dress about which , time and time again , he had talked to her . The appartement was made ready to present to Cesar 's eyes the same enchanting scene he had once enjoyed for a single evening . Neither Constance , nor Cesarine , nor Popinot perceived the danger to Cesar in this sudden and overwhelming surprise , and they awaited his arrival at four o'clock with a delight that was almost childish . Following close upon the unspeakable emotion his re-entrance at the Bourse had caused him , the hero of commercial honor was now to meet the sudden shock of felicity that awaited him in his old home . He entered the house , and saw at the foot of the staircase -LRB- still new as he had left it -RRB- his wife in her velvet robe , Cesarine , the Comte de Fontaine , the Vicomte de Vandenesse , the Baron de la Billardiere , the illustrious Vauquelin . A light film dimmed his eyes , and his uncle Pillerault , who held his arm , felt him shudder inwardly .