three
o'clock
The third woman , in mourning , sat in a corner , with the air of a desolate widow . Duroy thought that she had come to ask for charity . However , no one was ushered into the room beyond , and more than twenty minutes had elapsed . Duroy was seized with an idea , and going back to the doorkeeper , said : `` Monsieur Walter made an appointment for me to call on him here at three o'clock . At all events , see whether my friend , Monsieur Forestier , is here . '' He was at once ushered along a lengthy passage , which brought him to a large room where four gentlemen were writing at a large green-covered table . Forestier standing before the fireplace was smoking a cigarette and playing at cup and ball .