midnight
I turned toward her just long enough to say gravely , `` I thank you , mademoiselle , '' and then renewed at once my conversation with madame . But I could see from the tail of my eye that she had the grace to blush also , and to be ashamed of her petty persecutions , for she left me to myself the remainder of the meal . `` Tender-handed stroke a nettle , And it stings you for your pains ; Grasp it like a man of mettle , And it soft as silk remains . '' In our room , making ready for midnight mass , which all the family , including guests , were expected to attend , my captain told me what Dr. Saugrain had said to him about mademoiselle . He had told her fully her history and expectations -LRB- save only her exact rank and title , which he had thought best still to withhold from her -RRB- , and the plans of her friends for her future . He had also told her very plainly that he had suspected the chevalier of just such an attempt at her capture as he had made , and for that reason had been so unwilling that she should go to Chouteau 's Pond . Mademoiselle had listened , and had asked him many questions , and had at last said that she could not doubt the truth of her guardian , but she thought it possible the chevalier was honest also , and misjudged Dr. Saugrain because he did not know him .