ten o'clock
but it is a hot night , '' said Hervé as his daughter kissed him . Mademoiselle Moineau was following Hélène from the room , when she was called back . `` No , mademoiselle , you must stay ; we can not do without you . Monsieur le Curé has to be home before ten o'clock . '' The governess went back obediently to her corner . Hélène glanced back from the door at the group round the table , deep in their calculations , careless of what might be going on outside their circle of shaded candle-light . Only her father lifted his head and looked after her for an instant ; her presence or absence was totally indifferent to the other men , though the square-headed cousin Urbain was Angelot 's father ; and her mother had forgotten her already .