ten o'clock
But when he appeared in traveling dress , at ten o'clock , he was smiling and polite as usual , and expressed great joy at being allowed to journey in Madame Riano 's suite . Count Saxe was a prudent as well as a courageous man , and he never belittled his antagonists , least of all Madame Riano . He often said he reckoned Madame Riano to be the first warrior of the age with Prince Eugene and Marshal the Duke of Berwick a considerable distance behind . At ten o'clock the start was made , Madame Riano in her traveling chaise leading . She bade an affectionate farewell to Francezka and a kindly one to Gaston , placed her hôtel in Paris at their disposal whenever they wished to come to Paris , said adieu to old Peter , sent poor Lisa a gold piece and a terrible denunciation , mounted into her chaise and started . I had said farewell to Francezka several times in the last few years from the terrace , when she stood alone and lonely , but with undaunted courage and undying hope . Now that hope and courage were rewarded ; she stood with Gaston by her side , the two happiest creatures on earth .