about three o'clock
I paid for my tea , and while writing down my address , I questioned the saleswoman : `` I promised my wife to meet her here at three o'clock to select this tea -- not that my presence was necessary , as her taste is always mine -- but she requested me to come , and I fear I have made a mistake in the hour , my watch has run down and I had no idea it was so late -- I hope she did not wait for me ? has she been here ? '' Thereupon I gave a minute description of Irene de Chateaudun , from the color of her hair to the shade of her boot . `` Yes , monsieur , she was here about three o'clock , it is now five ; she was only here a few minutes -- long enough to make a little purchase . '' `` Yes , ... I gasped out , ... I know , but I thought I saw her ... did she not come in ... that door ? '' `` Yes , sir , she entered by that door and went out by the opposite one , that one over there , '' said she , pointing to a door opening on New Vivienne street . I suppressed an oath , and rushed out of the door opening on this new street , as if I expected to find Mlle. de Chateaudun patiently waiting for me to join her on the pavement .