ten o'clock exactly
Around them -- the kitchen was not yet tidied -- was all the litter of the things cleared away from the dining-room ; however , the spot seemed a charming one to these hungry sweethearts , and especially to Zephyrin , who here feasted on such things as were never seen within the walls of his barracks . The predominant odor was one of roast meat , seasoned with a dash of vinegar -- the vinegar of the salad . In the copper pans and iron pots the reflected light from the gas was dancing ; and as the heat of the fire was beyond endurance , they had set the window ajar , and a cool breeze blew in from the garden , stirring the blue cotton curtain . `` Must you be in by ten o'clock exactly ? '' asked Helene . `` I must , madame , with all deference to you , '' answered Zephyrin . `` Well , it 's along way off .