ten
     o'clock
He pulled himself together -- he had no secrets from his wife . `` Listen , '' he said , and read aloud : '' _ Rue de St. Quintaine , Paris . _ `` DEAR MR. RUFF , -- _ It is a long time since we had the pleasure of a visit from you . It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next , at ten o'clock . _ -- SOGRANGE . '' Violet was a little perplexed . She failed , somehow , to recognise the sinister note underlying those few sentences .