seven o'clock
What did she know of his connections ? Why should he have to go to the back door ? How came it that Carmen asked him to meet her in this peculiar manner ? Punctually at seven o'clock the painter was at the garden gate , and with a trembling hand Gontram pulled the bell-rope and was immediately let in by a maid . `` The lady is waiting , '' she said . The maid opened the door of a charming boudoir and allowed Gontram to enter . With his hat in his hand the painter stood still in the centre of the room .