midnight
Ratoneau was not prepared for such a sudden and fiery onslaught . It was easy , the work he expected -- to tear Hélène from the company of a woman and child , to carry her off to Sonnay . He considered her his own property , given to him by the Emperor , stolen from him by her father and Angelot . It would be easy , he told himself , to have the absurd midnight ceremony declared illegal ; or if not , he would soon find means to put Angelot out of his way . By fair means or by foul , he meant to have the girl and to marry her . If his method was that of the ancient Gauls -- well , she would forgive him in time ! Women love a hero , however roughly he may treat them .