four o’clock
One can imagine , knowing all this , what was the surprise and agitation of this corner of exotic society , when the news spread , not only that the great Afchin -- as these ladies called her -- had consented to see the baroness , but that she would pay her first visit on her next Saturday . Neither the Fuernbergs nor the Trotts would wish to miss such an occasion . On her side , the baroness did everything in her power to give the utmost brilliancy to this solemn reparation . She wrote , she visited , and succeeded so well , that in spite of the lateness of the season , Mme. Jansoulet , on arriving at four o'clock at the Faubourg Saint-Honore , would have seen drawn up before the great arched doorway , side by side with the discreet russet livery of the Princess de Dion , and of many authentic _ blasons _ , the pretentious and fictitious arms , the multicoloured wheels of a crowd of plutocrat equipages , and the tall powdered lackeys of the Caraiscaki . Above , in the reception rooms , was another strange and resplendent crowd . In the first two rooms there was a going and coming , a continual passage of rustling silks up to the boudoir where the baroness sat , sharing her attentions and cajoleries between two very distinct camps . On one side were dark toilettes , modest in appearance , whose refinement was appreciable only to observant eyes ; on the other , a wild burst of vivid colour , opulent figures , rich diamonds , floating scarfs , exotic fashions , in which one felt a regret for a warmer climate , and more luxurious life .