ten o'clock
Last night , we had been , at best , on terms of armed neutrality ; to-night we were friends , and would continue friends , though we parted to-morrow . But parting was not what we thought of at the moment . On the contrary , half to our surprise , we found ourselves planning to see Aosta in each other 's company . After ten o'clock , when , deliciously fatigued , I was on my way to my room along a great arcaded balcony which ran the length of the house , I met Joseph , lying in wait for me . My conscience pricked . I had forgotten to send the poor , tired fellow definite instructions for the next day . He had come to solicit them , but , if I could judge by moonlight , he looked far from jaded ; indeed , he had an air of alertness , for him almost of gaiety .