eight o'clock
Indeed they could now plainly hear the sound of excellent music , and in the well lighted windows of the first story one could perceive here and there something like light shadows passing by . Ere Clary could answer , the porter appeared and opened the gates , asking the pleasure of the cavalcade . `` Tell your master , '' said Clary , imperiously , `` that I wish to speak to him at once . '' `` Oh , dear , that is impossible , '' stuttered the servant , stupefied ; `` the office is closed , and will only be opened again to-morrow morning at eight o'clock . '' The porter was now ready to lock the gates again , but John had already , at a wink from his mistress , placed his horse between the gates , and , good or bad , they had to be left open . `` Please ask your master to be kind enough to come down at once , '' said Mademoiselle Ellis , peremptorily . `` Excuse me , mademoiselle , do you belong to the ball guests ? ''