nine o'clock
Ralph ordered some dinner to be sent up to his room , for he began to be keenly awake to the fact that he had eaten nothing , for more than twenty-four hours . After he had taken the meal , he sat in Percy 's room , until it was time to go to General Trochu 's ; keeping himself , however , in a position so as to be hidden by the curtain -- for the sight of him evidently excited the patient . Percy was , as far as his brother could see , in just the same state as before : sometimes talking to himself , in disconnected sentences ; sometimes raving wildly , and imagining himself repeating the scenes through which he had passed , since he left home . At nine o'clock , exactly , Ralph sent in his name to the governor ; and was at once shown in . The general had already left the table , and was smoking in a small study . With him were Generals Ducrot and Vinoy . General Trochu rose , and shook him cordially by the hand ; presented him to the other generals , and asked him to take a cigar , and sit down .