About three o'clock
We were just then emerging from the narrow avenue , and Maud and Edward were joining us again . Our ride came to an end without any other incident of note , except indeed that it appeared to me Daniel was watching Kondjé and myself , as if he wanted to guess what had taken place during our _ tête-à-tête _ , which he had observed from a distance . I troubled myself no further about this , but made up my mind to take measures that very day to put an end to this stupid adventure . About three o'clock I went to Téral House , and in an interview with Kondjé-Gul 's mother drew up the precise terms of her answer to my aunt , which consisted of a formula usually employed on similar occasions . `` Mademoiselle Kondjé-Gul feels greatly flattered by the honour which Count Daniel Kiusko has intended to confer upon her , but is unable to accept it . '' To this we added , in order to convince him it was not one of those half-decisive answers which he might hope to overcome : `` She desires to inform their friend confidentially that her heart is no longer free , and that she is engaged to one of her relations . '' This partly-confidential answer possessed the merits of a candid communication , after receiving which no honourable man could press her without giving offence .