nine o’clock
The gracious courtesy of M. de Camors , on which he piqued himself , as regarded his wife , had its limits ; as the young Countess perceived whenever she attempted to abuse it . Thus , on several occasions she declined receiving guests on the ground of indisposition , hoping her husband would not abandon her to her solitude . She was in error . The Count gave her in reality , under these circumstances , a tete-a-tete of a few minutes after dinner ; but near nine o'clock he would leave her with perfect tranquillity . Perhaps an hour later she would receive a little packet of bonbons , or a pretty basket of choice fruit , that would permit her to pass the evening as she might . These little gifts she sometimes divided with her neighbor , Madame Jaubert ; sometimes with M. de Vautrot , secretary to her husband . This M. de Vautrot , for whom she had at first conceived an aversion , was gradually getting into her good graces .