about three
o'clock in the morning
`` Since yesterday I have not seen him . I expected my son to supper as usual , and he never came ; but I would not let you see how much I suffered . I continued to expect him , minute after minute ; for ten years he has never gone up to bed without coming to kiss me ; so I spent a good part of the night close to the door , listening if I could hear his step . But he did not come ; and , at last , about three o'clock in the morning , I threw myself down upon the mattress . I have just been to see -LRB- for I still had a faint hope -RRB- , if my son had come in this morning -- '' `` Well , madame ! '' `` There is no sign of him ! '' said the poor mother , drying her eyes .