noon
Adrienne never opened the _ Officiel _ , which Vaudrey received in his private office , pretending that the sight of a newspaper too vividly recalled the fatiguing political life that absorbed him . One day , however , he allowed the journals to be brought into the salon and to lie about in Madame 's room . He informed Adrienne that he was going to pass the day in Picardy , at Guise or at Vervins , where an important deputy had invited him to visit his factory . He would leave in the morning and could not return until the following day toward noon . `` What a long time ! '' said Adrienne . `` It is still longer for me than for you , since you remain here , in our home . ''