midnight
They talked over the circumstances of his first sudden appearance , their conjectures were endless ; the stranger had conferred one more benefit upon them by diverting their minds . Again , and again , they said , when he next came to see them as he promised , to celebrate the sad anniversary of the death of Louis XVI. , he could not escape their friendship . The night so impatiently awaited came at last . At midnight the old wooden staircase echoed with the stranger 's heavy footsteps . They had made the best of their room for his coming ; the altar was ready , and this time the door stood open , and the two Sisters were out at the stairhead , eager to light the way . Mademoiselle de Langeais even came down a few steps , to meet their benefactor the sooner . `` Come , '' she said , with a quaver in the affectionate tones , `` come in ; we are expecting you . ''