three o’clock in the afternoon
`` But if we can not imagine Madame Rogêt privy to the design of elopement , may we not at least suppose this design entertained by the girl ? Upon quitting home , she gave it to be understood that she was about to visit her aunt in the Rue des Drômes and St. Eustache was requested to call for her at dark . Now , at first glance , this fact strongly militates against my suggestion ; -- but let us reflect . That she did meet some companion , and proceed with him across the river , reaching the Barrière du Roule at so late an hour as three o'clock in the afternoon , is known . But in consenting so to accompany this individual , -LRB- _ for whatever purpose -- to her mother known or unknown , _ -RRB- she must have thought of her expressed intention when leaving home , and of the surprise and suspicion aroused in the bosom of her affianced suitor , St. Eustache , when , calling for her , at the hour appointed , in the Rue des Drômes , he should find that she had not been there , and when , moreover , upon returning to the pension with this alarming intelligence , he should become aware of her continued absence from home . She must have thought of these things , I say . She must have foreseen the chagrin of St. Eustache , the suspicion of all .