midnight
I hoped from this that our conversation had dissipated all those strange ideas concerning Gaston which had lodged in her mind . If Francezka was admired by the men , Gaston certainly succeeded in captivating the ladies . Many of them declared that any woman could have been faithful to a man as charming , as witty , as gallant , as Gaston Cheverny . The king retired from the ball at midnight ; he had grown lazy by that time , but the gentlemen and the `` flying squadrons '' kept going for two hours more , although they had to rise at daylight , to go upon a great boar hunt , and this was the second day and night they had been pleasure-driven . Francezka was among the last to leave the ball room , and if a sparkling face and smiles and laughter are any indication of a heart at ease , Francezka was a happy woman . But she was , also , a consummate actress . Next morning , daybreak saw us assembled in the courtyard .