midnight
Opportunity and a certain fatality which appears to preside over the conduct of all human affairs , impelled Monsieur de l'Estorade , who thought little of the shock his wife had dreaded for him , to satisfy his curiosity by reading the letter . Marie-Gaston wrote as follows : -- Madame , -- This letter will seem to you less amusing than those I addressed to you from Arcis-sur-Aube . But I trust you will not be alarmed by the decision which I now announce . I am going to rejoin my wife , from whom I have been too long separated ; and this evening , shortly after midnight , I shall be with her , never to part again . You have , no doubt , said to yourselves -- you and Sallenauve -- that I was acting strangely in not visiting her grave ; that is a remark that two of my servants made the other day , not being aware that I overheard them . I should certainly be a great fool to go and look at a stone in the cemetery which can make me no response , when every night , at twelve o'clock , I hear a little rap on the door of my room , and our dear Louise comes in , not changed at all , except , as I think , more plump and beautiful . She has had great trouble in obtaining permission from Marie , queen of angels , to withdraw me from earth .