midnight
And there , in an Indian shawl and a pale-green crape bonnet -- there , fresh , portly , blithe , and pleasant -- there stood Madame Beck . Curious ! I had certainly deemed Madame in her bed , and Désirée in her crib , at this blessed minute , sleeping , both of them , the sleep of the just , within the sacred walls , amidst the profound seclusion of the Rue Fossette . Most certainly also they did not picture `` Meess Lucie '' otherwise engaged ; and here we all three were taking our `` ébats '' in the fête-blazing park at midnight ! The fact was , Madame was only acting according to her quite justifiable wont . I remembered now I had heard it said among the teachers -- though without at the time particularly noticing the gossip -- that often , when we thought Madame in her chamber , sleeping , she was gone , full-dressed , to take her pleasure at operas , or plays , or balls . Madame had no sort of taste for a monastic life , and took care -- largely , though discreetly -- to season her existence with a relish of the world .