ten o'clock in the morning
The baron was about fifty years of age , with hair gray , thin , and lightly curled and powdered . His chin , rather projecting , was partly concealed in a high cravat of white muslin , starched very stiffly , and of unimpeachable whiteness . His countenance was expressive of great intelligence , and his carriage was _ distingué _ ; whilst beneath his gold spectacles there beamed an eye as shrewd as it was penetrating . Although it was only ten o'clock in the morning , M. de Graün wore a black coat , -- that was etiquette , -- and a riband , shot with several bright colours , was suspended from his buttonhole . He placed his hat on a chair and took his station near the fireplace , whilst Murphy continued his work . `` His royal highness , no doubt , was up the best part of the night , my dear Murphy , for your correspondence appears considerable ? '' `` Monseigneur went to bed at six o'clock this morning .