midnight
`` Never , my dearest brother , shall they pass to me from their present owner : but let us hasten now to execute justice ; we will talk afterwards of friendship . '' I then sought Oswald , who , if a physical coward , was morally a ready , bustling , and prompt man ; and I felt that I could rely more upon him than I could at that moment upon Gerald . I released him therefore of his charge , and made Desmarais a close prisoner in the inner apartment of the tower . I then gave Oswald the most earnest injunctions to procure the assistance we might require , and to return with it as expeditiously as possible ; and cheered by the warmth and decision of his answer , I saw him depart with Gerald , and felt my heart beat high with the anticipation of midnight and retribution . IT happened unfortunately that the mission to ------ was indispensable . The slender accommodation of the tower forbade Gerald the use of his customary attendants , and the neighbouring villagers were too few in number , and too ill provided with weapons , to encounter men cradled in the very lap of danger ; moreover , it was requisite , above all things , that no rumour or suspicion of our intended project should obtain wind , and , by reaching Montreuil 's ears , give him some safer opportunity of escape . I had no doubt of the sincerity of the Fatalist 's communications , and if I had , the subsequent conversation I held with him , when Gerald and Oswald were gone , would have been sufficient to remove it .