Ten o'clock
... It is high time ! '' `` My dear Thomery ! '' she cried playfully : `` I wish -- I expect you to show yourself the most charming of men to your delicious neighbour ! '' Ten o'clock had struck before Madame de Vibray and her guests left the dinner-table and proceeded to the small drawing-room . Thomery was allowed to smoke in their presence ; besides , the Princess had accepted a Turkish cigarette , and the Baroness had allowed herself a liqueur . A most excellent dinner and choice wines had loosened tongues , and , in accordance with a prearranged plan , Madame de Vibray had directed the conversation imperceptibly into the channels she wished it to follow . Thus she learned what she had feared to know , namely , that a very serious flirtation had been going on for some time between Thomery and the Princess ; that between this beautiful and wealthy young widow and the millionaire sugar refiner , the flirtation was rapidly developing into something much warmer and more lasting .