eleven o'clock in the morning
Catherine placed one of her fingers on her lips , looked at the dying man , and repeated in an undertone this sinister word , `` Fatality ! '' The count had passed a terrible night , in a state bordering on delirium and verging on death . Faithful , however , to his duty , as soon as he had heard the king 's arrival announced , he rose and received him at the gate , as we have described ; but no sooner had he presented his homage to his majesty , saluted respectfully the queen-mother , and pressed the admiral 's hand , than he shut himself up in his own room , not to die , but to carry determinedly into execution his long cherished project , which nothing could any longer interfere with . Toward eleven o'clock in the morning , therefore -- that is to say , as soon as , immediately after the terrible news had circulated that the Duc d'Anjou 's life was in imminent danger , every one had dispersed , leaving the king completely bewildered by this fresh event -- Henri went and knocked at his brother 's door , who , having passed a part of the previous night traveling , had just retired to his own room . `` Ah ! is that you ? '' asked Joyeuse , half asleep ; `` what is the matter ? ''