Four o'clock
But the pendulum still continued its regular , even swinging ; the time went forward ; only every moment made the horror , the fear of unknown danger seem like an eternity ! At last , slowly , with calm stroke , the hour began to strike four o'clock . And amid the dreadful sounds outside the palace , the women could recognize the deep tones of the great clock on the Swiss hall . Four o'clock ! One solitary , dreadful hour is passed ! Three hours more , three eternities before daylight comes ! But hark !