ten o'clock
Is it not , General ? '' said Valentine , laughing . `` It is the only declaration that fate permits me to make to you , Mademoiselle , '' Henri replied , rather dryly , laying emphasis on the double sense of his words . This rejoinder , which nothing in the playful attack had justified , irritated the Duchess , but Valentine appeared to pay no attention to it , and at ten o'clock , when a gypsy band began to play in the long gallery , she arose . `` Although we are a very small party , '' she said , `` would you not like to indulge in a waltz , Mesdames ? The gentlemen can not complain of being crowded here , '' she added , with a smile . M. de Lisieux and M. de Nointel , as well as Edmond Delorme , hastened to throw away their cigarettes , and all made their way to the long gallery .