midnight
Here the lady 's voice was broken by many sobs -- but she soon recovered her composure , and continued her narrative . `` My mother was beautiful but frail -- which was in her case peculiarly unfortunate , for my father was the most jealous of men . He had reason to suppose that a handsome young Count was too intimate with her ; keeping his suspicions profoundly secret , he made preparations for a long journey , and having announced his intention of remaining abroad several months , he departed from Paris . That very night , at midnight , he abruptly returned , proceeded directly to my mother 's chamber , and found the Count St. Cyr in her arms . The guilty pair were taken too much by surprise to attempt resistance or escape , and both were slain on the spot by my father , who had provided himself with weapons for that purpose . The Duke then went to his own chamber -- the report of a pistol was heard soon afterwards , and the unfortunate man was found dead , with his brains scattered over the carpet . Thus in one fatal night were my only brother and myself made orphans -- nor was this our only misfortune , for the notary who had the charge of our joint patrimony , absconded , and left us penniless .