nearly three o'clock
After the vehicle had lumbered past him and disappeared , the thought crossed his mind that she might be inside it . He had not then had time to go back but early this very morning , he had passed the house and found the windows open . So Madeleine had engaged her immediately ! As usual , Furst had kept him waiting for his lesson ; it was nearly three o'clock already , and he was so hurried that he could only change his collar ; but , on the way there , in a sudden spurt of gratitude , he ran to a flower-shop , and bought a large bunch of carnations . He arrived at Madeleine 's room in an elation he did not try to hide ; and over the carnations they had a mock reconciliation . Madeleine wished to distribute the flowers in different vases about the room , but he asked her put them all together on the centre table . She laughed and complied .