a quarter before seven in the evening
The plan of escape is as follows : To-morrow evening , at six o'clock , the royal children will change their dress in the little tower next to the chamber of the queen . In their soiled costume they will remain within the tower , whither it is known that Tison and his wife never come , and will wait there until some one gives them a signal and calls them . Toulan and Lepitre will arrange to have the watch again to-morrow in the tower . At a quarter before seven in the evening , Toulan will give a pinch of snuff to Madame Tison and her husband , who are both passionately fond of it , and they will speedily take it as they always do . This pinch of snuff will consist entirely of colored opium . They will fall into a heavy sleep , which will last at least seven hours , and during this times the flight of all the members of the royal family must be accomplished -- '' `` Wait a moment , sister , '' whispered the queen , `` I feel dizzy , and my heart beats violently , as if we were engaged now in the very execution of the plan . It seems to me as if , in the darkness of the dreadful night which surrounds us , a glimmer of hope was suddenly appearing , and my eyes are blinded with it .