midnight
`` Your excuse will be made to your kinsman , '' said Oliver , smiling again , `` and , my dearest son , when you return safe from the execution of this pleasing trust , I doubt not you will be found worthy of such promotion as will dispense with your accounting for your motions to any one , while it will place you at the head of those who must render an account of theirs to you . '' So spoke Oliver le Diable , calculating , probably , in his own mind , the great chance there was that the poor youth whose hand he squeezed affectionately as he spoke , must necessarily encounter death or captivity in the commission intrusted to his charge . He added to his fair words a small purse of gold , to defray necessary expenses on the road , as a gratuity on the King 's part . At a few minutes before twelve at midnight , Quentin , according to his directions , proceeded to the second courtyard , and paused under the Dauphin 's Tower , which , as the reader knows , was assigned for the temporary residence of the Countesses of Croye . He found , at this place of rendezvous , the men and horses appointed to compose the retinue , leading two sumpter mules already loaded with baggage , and holding three palfreys for the two Countesses and a faithful waiting woman , with a stately war horse for himself , whose steel plated saddle glanced in the pale moonlight . Not a word of recognition was spoken on either side . The men sat still in their saddles as if they were motionless , and by the same imperfect light Quentin saw with pleasure that they were all armed , and held long lances in their hands .