about nine
o'clock in the evening
He ate that they might not think he was frightened , and went in the afternoon with Boisrenard to the office , where he worked in an absent , mechanical manner . Before leaving , Jacques Rival shook hands with him and warned him that he and Boisrenard would call for him in a carriage the next morning at seven o'clock to repair to the wood at Vesinet , where the meeting was to take place . All had been settled without his saying a word , giving his opinion , accepting or refusing , with such rapidity that his brain whirled and he scarcely knew what was taking place . He returned home about nine o'clock in the evening after having dined with Boisrenard , who had not left him all day . When he was alone , he paced the floor ; he was too confused to think . One thought alone filled his mind and that was : a duel to-morrow ! He sat down and began to meditate .