eight o'clock in the evening
The English banker was of the greatest assistance to me during that most anxious day . But we found no clew , nor discovered any reason for the Vicomte 's disappearance . I went back in the evening to the Hôtel Clericy , and there found Madame de Clericy and Lucille awaiting me , with that calmness which is admirable when there is nothing else but waiting to be done . It was at eight o'clock in the evening that the explanation came , from a source as natural as it was unexpected . A letter was delivered by the postman for Madame de Clericy , who at once recognized her husband 's unsteady handwriting . She crossed the room , and stood beside me while she opened the envelope . Lucille , seeing the action , frowned , as I thought .