one o’clock
They were by this time entering the city , where the extreme narrowness and dirt of the streets contrasted with the grandeur of the palatial courts that could be partly seen through their archways . At the hostel they rode under such an arch , and found themselves in a paved yard that would have been grand had it been clean . Privacy had scarcely been invented , and the party were not at all surprised to find that the apartment prepared for them was to serve both day and night for Berenger , the Chevalier , and Mr. Adderley , besides having a truckle-bed on the floor for Osbert . Meals were taken in public , and it was now one o'clock -- just dinner-time ; so after a hasty toilette the three gentlemen descended , the rest of the party having ridden off to their quarters , either as attendants of Monsieur or to their families . It was a sumptuous meal , at which a great number of gentlemen were present , coming in from rooms hired over shops , & c -- all , as it seemed , assembled at Paris for the marriage festivities ; but Berenger began to gather that they were for the most part adherents of the Guise party , and far from friendly to the Huguenot interest . Some of them appeared hardly to tolerate Mr. Adderley 's presence at the table ; and Berenger , though his kinsman 's patronage secured civil treatment , felt much out of his element , confused , unable to take part in the conversation , and sure that he was where those at home did not wish to see him . No sooner was the dinner over than he rose and expressed his intention of delivering his letters of introduction in person to the English ambassador and to the Admiral de Coligny , whom , as his father 's old friend and the hero of his boyhood , he was most anxious to see .