five
in the afternoon
This abstinence , laudable in itself , disastrously affected his temper , and brought him before noon into wordy conflict with his engineer . The quarrel , suppressed for the time , flamed out afresh in the afternoon , and , unfortunately , at a moment when Sir Elphinstone , as chairman , was introducing the star orator from London . Opprobrious words had reached the ears of the company gathered on the platform , and Sir Elphinstone had interrupted his remarks about Bucking Up and Thinking Imperially to send a policeman through the crowd with instructions to stop that damned brawling . If the great Napoleon may be forgiven for losing his temper when at five in the afternoon from the slope of La Belle Alliance he watched the Prussians breaking through the opposite woods , while Grouchy yet tarried , let it be pleaded in excuse for Mr. Gavel that ever since eleven a.m. he had been awaiting the arrival of his six newly-painted horses . The Birmingham decorator had pledged himself to deliver them early at Preston Bagot , and Mr. Gavel knew him for a man of his word . He had made arrangements for their prompt conveyance to the field . He did not doubt , but he was undeniably anxious .