nine o’clock
But to whom ? No one could answer . Limoges had a mystery . On the return of old Sauviat Graslin paid his first evening visit at half-past nine o'clock . Veronique was expecting him , dressed in her blue silk gown and muslin guimpe , over which fell a collaret made of lawn with a deep hem . Her hair was simply worn in two smooth bandeaus , gathered into a Grecian knot at the back of her head . She was seated on a tapestried chair beside her mother , who occupied a fine armchair with a carved back , covered with red velvet -LRB- evidently the relic of some old chateau -RRB- , which stood beside the fireplace .