Midnight
She went about her work in a half-stupefied state , as one who is perpetually in a trance . She was past fear now . Nothing mattered . Midnight rides on a mule up in the mountains , meetings in the low quarter of the town , the danger of being arrested while carrying a despatch . '' _ C'est ainsi que la vie _ ! '' Emile 's motto had become also her own . She was once more a perfect machine .