nine o'clock
She received him , he thought , a little coolly -- perhaps only because Madame della Scala was sitting by -- gave him the tips of her fingers , and declared that she must go almost immediately . It turned out that he was bound for the same place ; and Madame at once asked him to escort them thither -- the carriage would be at the door at half-past nine o'clock . `` I shall be only too happy , '' said Mr. Lepel , `` if you will allow me such an honor . And , in the meantime , it is not yet nine o'clock , Cynthia ; so , in spite of your impatience , you can not start quite ` immediately . ' What is there so attractive at the Gores ' this evening that you wish to set off so early ? '' `` Oh , nothing -- I did not know the time ! '' said Cynthia .