about nine o'clock
Putting on his hat and cloak he went down to the entrance , and in passing out said as if casually to the _ concierge _ -- `` Has the Marquis de Répentigny entered yet ? '' `` Yes , sir , '' the man returned . Germain started out into the night , not knowing where to go . It was about nine o'clock and dark overhead , but the narrow towering streets of old Paris possessed a rude system of lighting and the life at least of a great city , so that he felt less lonely than in his rooms , and walked on and on for several hours . Lorgnette in hand , Cyrène was sitting in the music chamber of the Hôtel de Noailles , scanning the bars of a sheet of music sent her by her suitor . Near by was the harpsichord on which she was about to try it , when it seemed to her that a screen beside her trembled . Glancing for an instant at it she was reassured .