about
four o’clock in the afternoon
she responded , with such gusto : `` Indeed , I shall ! '' and her manner was so eager , so boyish , so full of fun , that she was wildly applauded , while Gerard embraced her as heartily as he liked , to make up to himself for her having had , as his wife , the upper hand . All this kissing threw him rather off his balance , and he might soon have sealed his fate , had not a very sad event occurred , which restored his self-possession . The dress rehearsal was to take place one bright spring day at about four o'clock in the afternoon . A large number of guests was assembled at the house of Madame d'Avrigny . The performance had been much talked about beforehand in society . The beauty , the singing , and the histrionic powers of the principal actress had been everywhere extolled .