midnight
I turned back with the old man , and he told me his story . '' He stopped and drew a long breath . `` I hardly listened to the details , '' he said . `` But by some means Hervé had heard of the expected order -- and -- distrusting all the world , it seems , even you , his wife , he sent for the Curé at midnight and forced him to celebrate the marriage . Ah , Monsieur le Général , you may well take it hardly ; yet I do not believe you are more angry than I am . '' `` As to that , monsieur , '' said Ratoneau , glaring at him with savage fury , `` I believe you have played me false and arranged the whole affair . Your scamp of a son has escaped the prison he richly deserved , and you have plotted to marry him to your cousin 's daughter .