midnight
`` Most certainly , sire . '' `` Then stay by me , and when the ceremony of choosing the next king begins I will tell you about it . '' Here was a heart as true as steel , ready to be generous to a successful rival and loyal unto death to his queen . It would not hurt to have one more guard for mademoiselle on our midnight ride ; we would then more nearly match in numbers the chevalier 's band , and by numbers alone might intimidate him from even making the attack . Which was much to be desired , since there would be two ladies in our party , and fighting and bloodshed are not for tender hearts like theirs to know . But more than that , I thought I could give him no greater pleasure than the chance to prove himself of some real service to mademoiselle , and I would like to atone for stealing the honors he had felt so sure of . And more still : we had decided , in our hasty conference a little while before , -- Dr. Saugrain , my captain , and I , -- that it would not do at all to wait until the day before the Jour des Rois , as we had at first intended .