About four o'clock
It will be remembered that Rodolph had preserved Madame d'Harville from an imminent danger , occasioned by the jealousy of Sarah , who had acquainted M. d'Harville with the assignation Clémence had so imprudently granted to M. Charles Robert . Deeply affected with the scene he had witnessed , the prince returned directly home after quitting the Rue du Temple , putting off till the next day the visit he purposed paying to Mlle. Rigolette and the distressed family of the unfortunate artisan , of whom we have spoken , believing them out of the reach of present want , thanks to the money he had given Madame d'Harville to convey to them , in order that her pretended charitable visit to the house might assume a more convincing appearance in the eyes of her husband . Unfortunately , Rodolph was ignorant of Tortillard 's having possessed himself of the purse , although the reader has already been told how the artful young thief contrived to effect the barefaced cheat . About four o'clock the prince received the following letter , which was brought by an old woman , who went away the instant she had delivered it without awaiting any answer . `` MY LORD : `` I owe you more than life ; and I would fain express my heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable service you have rendered me to-day . To-morrow shame would , perhaps , close my lips . If your royal highness will honour me with a call this evening , you will finish the day as you began it -- by a generous action .