nearly six o’clock
When they turned and walked slowly back ; talking together like those who have a perfect comprehension of each other , -- she , thinking she had gained a truce , he not doubting of his happiness ; and both deceived . Calyste , from what Camille had told him , was confident that Conti would be enchanted to find an opportunity to part from Beatrix ; Beatrix , yielding herself up to the vagueness of her position , looked to chance to arrange the future . They reached Les Touches in the most delightful of all states of mind , entering by the garden gate , the key of which Calyste had taken with him . It was nearly six o'clock . The luscious odors , the warm atmosphere , the burnished rays of the evening sun were all in harmony with their feelings and their tender talk . Their steps were taken in unison , -- the gait of all lovers , -- their movements told of the union of their thoughts . The silence that reigned about Les Touches was so profound that the noise which Calyste made in opening and shutting the gate must have echoed through the garden .