about one o'clock
in the morning
After travelling in this way for about a couple of miles , the chateau became entirely concealed from view by the intervening trees -LRB- though the sound of brisk firing could still be distinctly heard -RRB- ; I therefore sent Giaccomo to the front as guide , with instructions to shape such a course as would take us out upon the high road to Ajaccio , and ranged my own horse up alongside that of Francesca , who had behaved with admirable coolness and courage throughout the adventure , but seemed keenly distressed at the necessity which forced her from her father 's side at a time of such peculiar peril to him . This feeling I at once set myself to combat , making as light as possible of the peril , and stating that the attack upon the chateau was merely a wanton outrage on the part of the French , inflicted by way of retaliation in consequence of the count 's refusal to obey a discourteous summons from their general at Ajaccio . I was successful beyond my utmost hopes , my fair companion deriving from my representations a comfort and reassurance which I scarcely intended , but which I certainly had not the heart to take away again , so that by the time we reached Ajaccio -- which we did without adventure of any kind -- she had grown to regard the whole affair with a very tolerable amount of equanimity . After striking the high road we performed the remainder of the journey at a foot-pace , our object being to reach the town by about one o'clock in the morning , by which time Giaccomo assured me the entire inhabitants of the place would be in bed and fast asleep . On reaching that point in the road where I had taken leave of Rawlings , the `` Juno 's '' sailing-master , we dismounted , and turning the horses ' heads homeward , after adjusting their bridles so that they would not be likely to trail on the ground or entangle their feet , Giaccomo administered to each of the animals a smart stroke across the flank with his riding whip , which sent them off at a rattling gallop back along the road we had come , the man assuring me that they would be certain to keep on steadily until they again found themselves at their stable door at the chateau . We did this so as to avoid the necessity of attracting attention to ourselves by seeking stabling for them in the town at that late hour . When our steeds were fairly out of sight we resumed our way , and walked leisurely into Ajaccio , which we safely reached just about the time we had previously fixed upon as most desirable for our arrival .