about eight o'clock
Our colonel , M. de St. Julhien , read this heartless reply aloud , amid the deepest execrations on the part of our officers , and then turning to me , said , `` Here , Chevalier , I understand there is no love lost between you and this creature . I commission you to see that these requirements are fulfilled by the morning . '' And he sate down and wrote an order on the Commissary to `` deliver to the Chevalier Maxwell such stores as he may demand for the use of the Company d'Artois . '' Armed with this authority , I set forth at once , and arriving at the town about eight o'clock , made my way to the Commissary 's house and demanded him with scant ceremony . He appeared with but little delay , and I caught sight of the bright face of Madame , alight with curiosity , behind him , though he clapped the door to sharply enough . `` Well , Monsieur le Lieutenant '' -- he took a petty spite in disregarding my title of Chevalier -- `` what brings you here away from your post ? '' `` Only the definite intention , M. le Commissaire , of seeing that you obey orders .