nine o’clock
When you spoke to me of your bills , I thought that a much smaller amount was involved . '' Lucien thanked the old man for his good offices . `` The promise of forgiveness which you have brought is for me a priceless gift . '' Very early the next morning Lucien set out from Marsac , and reached Angouleme towards nine o'clock . He carried nothing but his walking-stick ; the short jacket that he wore was considerably the worst for his journey , his black trousers were whitened with dust , and a pair of worn boots told sufficiently plainly that their owner belonged to the hapless tribe of tramps . He knew well enough that the contrast between his departure and return was bound to strike his fellow-townsmen ; he did not try to hide the fact from himself . But just then , with his heart swelling beneath the oppression of remorse awakened in him by the old cure 's story , he accepted his punishment for the moment , and made up his mind to brave the eyes of his acquaintances .