six o'clock precisely
He remembered that it was by lamplight she had seen him . Until evening the weather was uncertain , with a sky sometimes sunny , sometimes cloudy ; but at this hour the clouds were driven away by a wind from the north , and the weather became decidedly cold , with the pink and pale clearness of the end of March when it still freezes . On examining himself he had the satisfaction to feel that he was calmer than in the morning , and that as the moment of attack approached , his agitation decreased ; decision , firmness , and coolness came to him ; he felt master of his will , and capable of obeying it . At six o'clock precisely he rang at Balzajette 's door , and they started immediately for the Rue Sainte-Anne . Happy to have a complaisant listener , Balzajette did all the talking , so that Saniel had only to reply `` yes '' or `` no '' from time to time , and of course it was not of Madame Dammauville that he spoke , but other matters -- of a first representation on the previous evening at the Opera Comique ; of politics ; of the next salon . At exactly a quarter past six they reached the house in the Rue Sainte - Anne , where Saniel had not been since Caffies death . On passing the old concierge 's lodge he felt satisfied with himself ; his heart did not beat too quickly , his ideas were firm and clear .