four o'clock
Louis , who was as pale as death , implored D -- not to mention the lady 's name , and our host acceded to the request . `` Only as her husband is at Smyrna , or in India or Mexico or somewhere , and in such a case it 's the same as if the lady was n't married , '' D -- observed . `` I assure you her husband is coming back soon , and he is such a good fellow he would be horribly mortified to hear his wife had done anything silly in his absence . '' Château-Renard had till four o'clock to save his bet . At five minutes to four he had not arrived , and Louis smiled at me over his wine . At that very moment the bell rang . D -- went to the door , and we could hear some argument going on in the hall .