three o'clock
repeated the doctor ; `` no there 's never anything . '' For a time the Eastern Question dropped into the background . There were frequent allusions to some one whom they were expecting , but who did not make his appearance . Pauline remarked that it would soon be three o'clock . Oh he would come , declared Madame Deberle ; he had given such a definite promise ; but she never hinted at any name . Helene listened without understanding ; things which had no connection with Henri did not in the least interest her . She no longer brought her work when she now came down into the garden ; and though her visits would last a couple of hours , she would take no part in the conversation , for her mind was ever filled with the same childish dream wherein all others miraculously vanished , and she was left alone with him .