three o'clock
He knew , moreover , from experience that all the sex , ladies or actresses , felt a singular attraction towards him , an instantaneous sympathy , and he experienced the impatience of a hobbled horse at not knowing those whom his future may depend on . He had often thought of calling on Madame Forestier , but the recollection of their last meeting checked and humiliated him ; and besides , he was awaiting an invitation to do so from her husband . Then the recollection of Madame de Marelle occurred to him , and recalling that she had asked him to come and see her , he called one afternoon when he had nothing to do . `` I am always at home till three o'clock , '' she had said . He rang at the bell of her residence , a fourth floor in the Rue de Verneuil , at half-past two . At the sound of the bell a servant opened the door , an untidy girl , who tied her cap strings as she replied : `` Yes , Madame is at home , but I do n't know whether she is up . '' And she pushed open the drawing-room door , which was ajar .