About three in the
morning
In January , 1842 , the Comtesse Laginska , with her charm of gentle melancholy , inspired a violent passion in the Comte de La Palferine , one of the most daring and presumptuous lions of the day . La Palferine was well aware that the conquest of a woman so guarded by reserve as the Comtesse Laginska was difficult , but he thought he could inveigle this charming creature into committing herself if he took her unawares , by the assistance of a certain friend of her own , a woman already jealous of her . Quite incapable , in spite of her intelligence , of suspecting such treachery , the Comtesse Laginska committed the imprudence of going with her so-called friend to a masked ball at the Opera . About three in the morning , led away by the excitement of the scene , Clementine , on whom La Palferine had expended his seductions , consented to accept a supper , and was about to enter the carriage of her faithless friend . At this critical moment her arm was grasped by a powerful hand , and she was taken , in spite of her struggles , to her own carriage , the door of which stood open , though she did not know it was there . `` He has never left Paris ! '' she exclaimed to herself as she recognized Thaddeus , who disappeared when the carriage drove away .