nine o'clock
His first thought was that he would go to the bank , but he decided otherwise . He shrank from the formality of greeting the employees in his present frame of mind . No , he would simply see Marie at once and face the inevitable . The earliness of the hour -- it was only nine o'clock -- would make no difference with her . In fact , by seeking her at once he might prevent her from looking for him . It would be dangerous , he was well aware of that , but the danger would not be any the greater under the roof of her cottage than at the bank , or even in the streets . He decided not to call a cab .