twelve o’clock
`` Madame , '' said Sylvie , running in with a scared face , `` I have not seen Mistigris these three days . '' `` Ah ! well , if my cat is dead , if _ he _ has gone and left us , I -- '' The poor woman could not finish her sentence ; she clasped her hands and hid her face on the back of her armchair , quite overcome by this dreadful portent . By twelve o'clock , when the postman reaches that quarter , Eugene received a letter . The dainty envelope bore the Beauseant arms on the seal , and contained an invitation to the Vicomtesse 's great ball , which had been talked of in Paris for a month . A little note for Eugene was slipped in with the card . `` I think , monsieur , that you will undertake with pleasure to interpret my sentiments to Mme. de Nucingen , so I am sending the card for which you asked me to you .