nine o’clock
I could think of nothing but Marguerite . As you can imagine , it was time to take a decided step , and finish either with the woman or with one 's scruples , if , that is , she would still be willing to see me . But you know well , one is always slow in taking a decided step ; so , unable to remain within doors and not daring to call on Marguerite , I made one attempt in her direction , an attempt that I could always look upon as a mere chance if it succeeded . It was nine o'clock , and I went at once to call upon Prudence , who asked to what she owed this early visit . I dared not tell her frankly what brought me . I replied that I had gone out early in order to reserve a place in the diligence for C. , where my father lived . `` You are fortunate , '' she said , `` in being able to get away from Paris in this fine weather . ''