six
o’clock
`` So be it , '' said du Portail ; `` it is n't much of a delay . Remember , monsieur , that if you succeed you have , in place of a man able to bring you to a stern account for your _ imprudent assistance _ to Madame Cardinal , a greatly obliged person , who will be ready at all times to serve you , and whose influence is greater than is generally supposed . '' After these friendly words , the pair separated with a thoroughly good understanding , and well satisfied with each other . The evening before the day already agreed upon , Theodose received from Cerizet the following note : -- `` To-morrow , lease or no lease , Rocher de Cancale , half-past six o'clock . '' As for Dutocq , Cerizet saw him every day , for he was still his copying clerk ; he therefore gave him his invitation by word of mouth ; but the attentive reader must remark a difference in the hour named : `` Quarter-past-six , Rocher de Cancale , '' said Cerizet . It was evident , therefore , that he wanted that fifteen minutes with Dutocq before the arrival of la Peyrade . These minutes the usurer proposed to employ in jockeying Dutocq in the purchase of the notes ; he fancied that if the proposition to buy them were suddenly put before him without the slightest preparation it might be more readily received .