about four o’clock
Three days later the commercial circles of the quarter were in a flutter at the announcement of Birotteau 's ball . Everybody could see for themselves the props and scaffoldings necessitated by the change of the staircase , the square wooden funnels down which the rubbish was thrown into the carts stationed in the street . The sight of men working by torchlight -- for there were day workmen and night workmen -- arrested all the idlers and busybodies in the street ; gossip , based on these preparations , proclaimed a sumptuous forthcoming event . On Sunday , the day Cesar had appointed to conclude the affair of the lands about the Madeleine , Monsieur and Madame Ragon , and uncle Pillerault arrived about four o'clock , just after vespers . In view of the demolition that was going on , so Cesar said , he could only invite Charles Claparon , Crottat , and Roguin . The notary brought with him the `` Journal des Debats '' in which Monsieur de la Billardiere had inserted the following article : -- `` We learn that the deliverance of our territory will be feted with enthusiasm throughout France . In Paris the members of the municipal body feel that the time has come to restore the capital to that accustomed splendor which under a becoming sense of propriety was laid aside during the foreign occupation .