midnight
_ -LSB- 3 -RSB- -LSB- 3 -RSB- M. Noël requests the pleasure of M. -- 's company on the evening of the 25th instant . Supper . I saw , notwithstanding the defective orthography , that it was a serious , authoritative function ; so I arrayed myself in my newest frock coat and my finest linen , and betook myself to Place Vendôme , to the address indicated by the invitation . M. Noël had selected for his party the evening of a first performance at the Opéra , which society attended _ en masse _ , so that the whole household had the bit in their teeth until midnight , and the entire house at their disposal . Nevertheless , our host had preferred to receive us in his room in the upper part of the house , and I strongly approved his judgment , being therein of the opinion of the good man who said : Fi du plaisir Que la crainte peut corrompre ! -LSB- 4 -RSB- -LSB- 4 -RSB- A fig for the pleasure Which fear can destroy ! But talk to me about the attics on Place Vendôme !