midnight
After the galop , the conductor announced a _ valse à deux temps _ . The band struck up -- one -- two -- three . Away went some thirty couples -- away went Müller and the fair Marie -- and away went the chronicler of this modest biography with a pretty little girl in green boots who waltzed remarkably well , and who deserted him in the middle of the dance for a hideous little French soldier about four feet and a half high . After this rebuff -LRB- having learned , notwithstanding my friend 's representations to the contrary , that a train ran from Courbevoie to Paris every half-hour up till midnight -RRB- I slipped away , leaving Müller and _ ma cousine _ in the midst of a furious flirtation , and Madame Marotte fast asleep in her corner . The clocks were just striking twelve as I passed under the archway leading to the Cité Bergère . '' _ Tiens _ ! '' said the fat concierge , as she gave me my key and my candle .