About one o'clock
I do n't like unpleasant bed-fellows , and you 've pulled the blankets all over to your side . Good-evening . '' `` You shall see , '' said Vinet , grasping the colonel 's hand affectionately . * * * * * About one o'clock that night three clear , sharp cries of an owl , wonderfully well imitated , echoed through the square . Pierrette heard them in her feverish sleep ; she jumped up , moist with perspiration , opened her window , saw Brigaut , and flung down a ball of silk , to which he fastened a letter . Sylvie , agitated by the events of the day and her own indecision of mind , was not asleep ; she heard the owl . `` Ah , bird of ill-omen ! ''