nine o’clock
These Blues lived close to one another on that avenue that is edged with chalets , cottages , and villas , whose lower floors are abundantly provided with great glass windows , which seem to let the ocean into their very rooms , as well as to lay bare everything that passes in them to the public eye , as frankly as if their inmates bivouacked in the open street . Nothing was private ; neither the meals , nor the coming and going of visitors . It must be said , however , that the inhabitants of these glass houses were very seldom at home . Bathing , and croquet , or tennis , at low water , on the sands , searching for shells , fishing with nets , dances at the Casino , little family dances alternating with concerts , to which even children went till nine o'clock , would seem enough to fill up the days of these young people , but they had also to make boating excursions to Cayeux , Crotoy , and Hourdel , besides riding parties in the beautiful country that surrounded the Chateau of Lizerolles , where they usually dismounted on their return . At Lizerolles they were received by Madame d'Argy , who was delighted that they provided safe amusement for her son , who appeared in the midst of this group of half-grown girls like a young cock among the hens of his harem . Frederic d'Argy , the young naval officer , who was enjoying his holiday , as M. de Nailles had said , was enjoying it exceedingly . How often , long after , on board the ship Floye , as he paced the silent quarter-deck , far from any opportunity of flirting , did he recall the forms and faces of these young girls , some dark , some fair , some rosy-half-women and half-children , who made much of him , and scolded him , and teased him , and contended for his attentions , while no better could be had , on purpose to tease one another .