midnight
Meanwhile , the people at home would wait till nine o'clock , quietly enough . Then , on becoming alarmed and looking about , they would find on the king 's desk a letter to the Assembly , which they would instantly forward . It could not reach Paris before ten ; and then the Assembly would not be sitting . The president would have to be found ; and the Assembly could hardly be got together , or messengers sent after the fugitives , before midnight ; when the royal family would have had a start of eight hours . The lady to whom the queen confided this scheme approved it , but asked no questions , and hoped she should not be told the precise day , as she was to be left behind , and wished to be able to say that she had not known that they intended more than an afternoon drive when they went forth . One June evening , nine o'clock came , and none of them were home . The attendants walked restlessly about the courts , and wondered .