five
o'clock
The rumor of the intended promenade was soon spread all over the palace ; ten minutes afterward Malicorne learned Madame 's resolution , and slipped under Montalais ' door a note , in the following terms : `` La Valliere must positively pass the night with Madame . '' Montalais , in pursuance of the compact she had entered into , began by burning the paper , and then sat down to reflect . Montalais was a girl full of expedients , and so had very soon arranged her plan . Toward five o'clock , which was the hour for her to repair to Madame 's apartment , she was running across the courtyard , and had reached within a dozen paces a group of officers , when she uttered a cry , fell gracefully on one knee , rose again , and walked on limpingly . The gentlemen ran forward to her assistance ; Montalais had sprained her foot . Faithful to the discharge of her duty , she insisted , however , notwithstanding her accident , upon going to Madame 's apartment . `` What is the matter , and why do you limp so ? ''