about two o'clock in the afternoon
This staircase , destined to receive so illustrious a weight , was merely fastened to the wall by a couple of iron clamps , and its base was fixed into the floor of the comte 's room by two iron pegs , screwed down tightly , so that the king , and all his cabinet councilors , too , might pass up and down the staircase without any fear . Every blow of the hammer fell upon a thick pad or cushion , and the saw was not used until the handle had been wrapped in wool , and the blade steeped in oil . The noisiest part of the work , moreover , had taken place during the night and early in the morning , that is to say , when La Valliere and Madame were both absent . When , about two o'clock in the afternoon , the court returned to the Palais Royal , La Valliere went up into her room . Everything was in its place , and not the smallest particle of sawdust , not the smallest chip , was left to bear witness to the violation of her domicile . Saint-Aignan , however , who had wished to do his utmost in getting the work done , had torn his fingers and his shirt too , and had expended no ordinary quantity of perspiration in the king 's service . The palms of his hands , especially , were covered with blisters , occasioned by his having held the ladder for Malicorne .