five o'clock
in the afternoon
He saw the world at his feet . It was by this act of frankness and of extraordinary audacity , seasoned by the bloody mysticism so familiar to the sixteenth century , which she adored , that the Marquise de Campvallon surrendered herself to her lover and sealed their fatal union . Nearly six weeks had passed after this last episode . It was five o'clock in the afternoon and the Marquise awaited Camors , who was to come after the session of the Corps Legislatif . There was a sudden knock at one of the doors of her room , which communicated with her husband 's apartment . It was the General . She remarked with surprise , and even with fear , that his countenance was agitated .