about midnight
As they were returning from this pilgrimage , during which the curé had made love as he best could , -- that is to say by glances and other little devices -- the husband caused himself to be sent for by a messenger he had instructed , to come at once to a lord of that country . He pretended to be very vexed , and to leave with much regret , -- nevertheless , since the lord had sent for him he could not disobey . So he went his way , and his cousin , the other gentleman , said that he would keep him company , as that was his way to return home . The priest and the lady much rejoiced to hear this news ; they consulted together and decided that the priest should take leave and quit the house , in order that none of the people there might suspect him , and about midnight he would return to the lady , as he was accustomed . No sooner was this determined on than the priest said farewell , and left the house . Now you must know that the husband and his relative were hidden in a gorge through which the priest would have to pass , and could neither go or return any other way , without going out of the right road . They saw the priest pass , and judged that he would return that night -- as indeed was his intention .