midnight
It is true that in the name of order I forbid your marriage , but I consent to your remaining affianced until these troubles of our country pass away or Monsieur obtains some establishment , no matter how small , if sufficient , and even though that should take as long as your lives may last . Kneel and receive an old woman 's blessing . '' With what disappointed and mingled feelings they knelt before her and bowed to the conquest of nature by the Old _ Régime _ . At midnight the full moon , silver-gilt , touched the house-fronts of the Street of the Hanged Man . They lit the figure and slouched hat of Jude , who , carrying a package , slunk up to the door of the Gougeon shop and was admitted . The Big Bench were in session . The light of the tallow-dip seemed to concentrate itself on the wicked smile of the Admiral as he watched Jude opening the packages .