a
quarter to five
`` Absolutely without reproach . A beautiful life . _ Allez donc voir ! _ '' These last words were , in the liberality of their confidence , so imperative that Strether went through no form of assent ; but before they separated it had been confirmed that he should be picked up at a quarter to five . It was quite by half-past five -- after the two men had been together in Madame de Vionnet 's drawing-room not more than a dozen minutes -- that Chad , with a look at his watch and then another at their hostess , said genially , gaily : `` I 've an engagement , and I know you wo n't complain if I leave him with you . He 'll interest you immensely ; and as for her , '' he declared to Strether , `` I assure you , if you 're at all nervous , she 's perfectly safe . '' He had left them to be embarrassed or not by this guarantee , as they could best manage , and embarrassment was a thing that Strether was n't at first sure Madame de Vionnet escaped .