five o'clock in the afternoon
said Count Vavel . `` It would be a suitable altar-piece for Notre Dame -- and the name of its creator deserves perpetuation ! '' Monsieur le Capitaine Descourcelles rode an excellent horse , was a capital rider , and was plainly very much in love . These three circumstances combined brought back the gallant soldier from Raab by five o'clock in the afternoon . The captain of the cuirassiers was not a little surprised to find the general 's wife playing cards with the hostile leader . `` General Guillaume agrees to everything , '' he announced immediately , on entering the room . `` He will release the ladies he has been holding as prisoners . ''