four o'clock
But when Bathilde saw Raoul , all fear , past or future , was lost in the happiness of the present . On his part , Raoul , whether it was self-command , or a similar feeling to her own , thought of nothing but Bathilde . Nevertheless , this time the preoccupations on both sides were so powerful that Bathilde could not help expressing her uneasiness to Raoul ; he made but little answer , for the absence of Buvat became connected in his mind with some suspicions which he had entertained for a minute , and then cast from him . The time , nevertheless , flowed away with its accustomed rapidity , and four o'clock struck , when the lovers fancied that they had only been together a few minutes . It was the hour at which he generally took his leave . If Buvat returned , he would probably return at this time . After exchanging a hundred vows , the two young people separated , agreeing , that if anything new happened to either of them , whatever hour of the day or night it might be , they should let the other know directly .