four
o'clock
Everybody , through eagerness to make their acquaintance , accepted their invitation , except the Count de Faverges , who had been summoned to the capital by business . They fell back on M. Hurel , his factotum . Beljambe , the innkeeper , formerly a _ chef _ at Lisieux , was to cook certain dishes ; Germaine had engaged the services of the poultry-wench ; and Marianne , Madame Bordin 's servant-girl , would also come . Since four o'clock the range was wide open ; and the two proprietors , full of impatience , awaited their guests . Hurel stopped under the beech row to adjust his frock-coat . Then the curé stepped forward , arrayed in a new cassock , and , a second later , M. Foureau , in a velvet waistcoat . The doctor gave his arm to his wife , who walked with some difficulty , assisting herself with her parasol .