about eight o’clock
His ladylove , with her feline suppleness , her nervous flexibility , had glided , little by little , into each fibre of his body . This woman was as necessary to his life as eating and drinking . He would certainly have committed some folly , had he not received a letter from Therese , asking him to remain at home the following evening . His sweetheart promised him to call about eight o'clock . On quitting the office , he got rid of Camille by saying he was tired , and should go to bed at once . Therese , after dinner , also played her part . She mentioned a customer who had moved without paying her , and acting the indignant creditor who would listen to nothing , declared that she intended calling on her debtor with the view of asking for payment of the money that was due .