nine
o’clock
She burst into tears at sight of her son , and then embraced Clotilde , who returned her kiss , as in a dream . And from this instant the latter , without emerging from the overwhelming grief in which she isolated herself , felt that she was no longer alone , hearing a continual stir and bustle going on around her . It was Felicite crying , coming in and going out on tiptoe , setting things in order , spying about , whispering , dropping into a chair , to get up again a moment afterward , after saying that she was going to die in it . At nine o'clock she made a last effort to persuade her granddaughter to eat something . Twice already she had lectured her in a low voice ; she came now again to whisper to her : `` Clotilde , my dear , I assure you you are wrong . You must keep up your strength or you will never be able to hold out . '' But the young woman , with a shake of her head , again refused .