nearly eight o’clock
You need not be uneasy about me any longer , '' he said , pressing his mother and his sister to him with a strength in which he seemed to put all his life . `` How is it we do not die of this ? '' said Denise to her mother as they passed through the wicket . It was nearly eight o'clock when this parting took place . At the gate of the prison the two women met the Abbe de Rastignac , who asked them news of the prisoner . `` He will no doubt be reconciled with God , '' said Denise . `` If repentance has not yet begun , he is very near it . ''