Nine o’clock
` Is Monsieur Astier gone ? ' The maid who was leaning out of the window to fasten back the shutters that moment caught sight of the carriage that was taking away M. Paul , right at the end of the avenue , too far off to be called back . The Duchess sprang out of bed and flew to the clock . ` Nine o'clock . ' The express did not reach Onzain till ten . ` Quick , a messenger -- Bertoli , and the best of the horses ! ' By taking the short cut through the woods he could reach the station before the carriage .