midday
Coming at once to meet me , she extended a cordial hand , and said : -- `` I had begun to despair of ever seeing you again . Why have you always come when I was out ? '' `` Madame , '' I said , bending low over the slender fingers , that seemed to linger kindly in my own , `` I have been undeservedly unfortunate . '' `` Remember for the future , '' she said , `` that I am always at home till midday , and after five . '' Then , turning to her other visitor , she said : -- '' _ Mon cousin _ , allow me to present my friend . Monsieur Arbuthnot -- Monsieur le Vicomte Adrien de Caylus . '' I had suspected as much already .