midnight
The merchant there is a friend of the family , and had offered to demonstrate his friendship by paying me too little to live on . Enfin , Fame has continued coy . The year expires to-night . I have begged a few comrades to attend a valedictory dinner -- and at the stroke of midnight , despairing I depart ! '' `` Is there a train ? '' `` I do not depart from Paris till after breakfast to-morrow ; but at midnight I depart from myself , I depart psychologically -- the Achille Flamant of the Hitherto will be no more . '' `` I understand , '' said madame Aurore , moved .