about midnight
And yet when she had drawn freer breath , and enjoyed the relief for a moment , she found herself regretting the sensation of dread , so greedy of extreme sensations is the feminine nature . The regret was not love , but it was certainly akin to other feelings which prepare the way for love . And then -- as if the impression which Montriveau had made upon her were suddenly revived -- she recollected his air of conviction as he took out his watch , and in a sudden spasm of dread she went out . By this time it was about midnight . One of her servants , waiting with her pelisse , went down to order her carriage . On her way home she fell naturally enough to musing over M. de Montriveau 's prediction . Arrived in her own courtyard , as she supposed , she entered a vestibule almost like that of her own hotel , and suddenly saw that the staircase was different .