ten o'clock
Then the Marquis began to bring gifts , and the Duchess treated Annette like her own daughter . The whole affair , then , had been fostered by common accord , warmed over the fire of a little intimacy , during the quiet hours of the day ; and the Marquis , having many other occupations , relatives , obligations and duties , rarely came in the evening . That was Olivier 's time . He dined regularly every week with his friends , and also continued to appear without appointment to ask for a cup of tea between ten o'clock and midnight . As soon as he entered the Countess watched him , devoured by a desire to know what was passing in his heart . He gave no glance , made no gesture that she did not immediately interpret , and she was tortured by this thought : `` It is impossible that he is not in love with her , seeing us so close together . '' He , too , brought gifts .