midnight
From the first appearance of M. d'Agen in the morning , with the startling news that the Provost-Marshal was seeking me , to my final surrender and encounter with Bruhl on the stairs , the chain of events had run out so swiftly that I had scarcely had time at any particular period to consider how I stood , or the full import of the latest check or victory . Now that I had leisure I lived the day over again , and , recalling its dangers and disappointments , felt thankful that all had ended so fairly . I had the most perfect confidence in Maignan , and did not doubt that Bruhl would soon weary , if he had not already wearied , of a profitless siege . In an hour at most -- and it was not yet midnight -- the king would be free to go home ; and with that would end , as far as he was concerned , the mission with which M. de Rosny had honoured me . The task of communicating his Majesty 's decision to the King of Navarre would doubtless be entrusted to M. de Rambouillet , or some person of similar position and influence ; and in the same hands would rest the honour and responsibility of the treaty which , as we all know now , gave after a brief interval and some bloodshed , and one great providence , a lasting peace to France . But it must ever be -- and I recognised this that night with a bounding heart , which told of some store of youth yet unexhausted -- a matter of lasting pride to me that I , whose career but now seemed closed in failure , had proved the means of conferring so especial a benefit on my country and religion . Remembering , however , the King of Navarre 's warning that I must not look to him for reward , I felt greatly doubtful in what direction the scene would next open to me ; my main dependence being upon M. de Rosny 's promise that he would make my fortune his own care .