twelve o'clock
said the artist . And he set forth , in high spirits , to investigate the rue Baba . He was gratified to discover a café in convenient proximity to the office . And twelve o'clock had not sounded next day when he took a seat at one of the little white-topped tables , his gaze bent attentively upon the agent 's step . For the earliest arrival he had not long to wait . A dumpy girl with an enormous nose approached , swinging her _ sac à main _ . She cast a complacent glance at the name on the door , opened the bag , whipped out a powder-puff , and vanished .