three in the afternoon
_ A bientôt _ , mademoiselle . '' And Olivier departed , leaving the two girls alone together . Herminie then opened M. de Maillefort 's letter . It read as follows : * * * * * `` It is still to-morrow , Saturday , my dear child , that I shall call to take you to Mlle. de Beaumesnil , only , if agreeable to you , I will come at three in the afternoon , instead of at noon as we agreed . `` A cousin-germain of mine , the Prince Duc de Haut-Martel , the head of our house , has just died in Hungary . `` I received this news through the Austrian ambassador , upon whom I must call early to-morrow morning for some necessary formalities , which , to my great regret , will prevent me from fulfilling my engagement with you as early as I promised . `` I shall see you , then , to-morrow , my dear child , `` Affectionately , `` MAILLEFORT . ''