about six o'clock
We were afraid , however , it would sound very tame . '' This was the way these two young people took their predicament to heart -- a predicament which involved the reputation of the one and the life of the other ! `` After we had breakfasted , Francezka retired to a room to rest , and I slipped into the town to learn something of Madame Riano . It was then about six o'clock , and cataracts of rain poured . I went straight to the palace . Just as I came near it , a traveling chaise with an escort of dragoons rolled out of the gates . On the box of the chaise sat old Peter , Madame Riano 's man , and within was Madame Riano , alone .