about nine o'clock
Moreover , he played the game of life bravely , and spoke with indignant contempt of a banker who , distracted and driven to extremities by blackmailing , had imagined that he would bring a recent scandal to an end by killing himself : a pitiful tragedy , from all the mire and blood of which the scandal had sprouted afresh with the most luxuriant and indestructible vegetation . No , no ! suicide was not the course to follow : a man ought to remain erect , and struggle on to his very last copper , and the very end of his energy . At about nine o'clock a ringing brought Duvillard to the telephone installed in his private room . And then his folly took possession of him once more : it must be Silviane who wished to speak to him . She often amused herself by thus disturbing him amidst his greatest cares . No doubt she had just returned home , realising that she had carried things too far on the previous evening and desiring to be forgiven .