eight o'clock
There may be a cause for it . There may -- I will send for a physician , '' he added , as he went down stairs . Valerie kept her room all day . Count de Volaski came to dinner at eight o'clock and was received by the duke alone . He smiled grimly when his host apologized for the absence of the duchess , by explaining the delicate condition of her health since the death of her parents , and the injury she had received from the fatigue and excitement of the dinner-party on the preceding evening . The duke and the count dined _ tete-a-tete _ , and sat long over their wine , although they drank but little . After dinner they played chess together all the evening , and then parted , apparently the best of friends on both sides , really good friends on the duke 's .