five in the morning
Ralph at once accepted the invitation ; upon the condition that Percy should have a sofa upon which to lie down , for his brother was looking pale , and faint . They were most warmly received , in a large drawing room , in which were over a dozen officers of different ranks . Some bottles of champagne were opened , cigars were lit and , while Percy lay quietly upon the sofa , Ralph chatted with the officers ; relating , at their earnest request , several of their adventures in the Vosges , as well as the story of their entering into Paris . His new friends warmly pressed them to stop and dine with them ; but Ralph pleaded that the balloon was to start at five in the morning , and that he wished Percy to lie down , and get a good night 's sleep before starting . The carriage had been discharged , hours since ; but one of the officers ordered a carriage of General Trochu 's to the door and , after a hearty leave taking , the boys returned to their hotel . `` What a curious scene it is , Percy , '' Ralph said . `` Who would think that we were in a besieged city ?