Two hours after midnight
Blakeney was standing erect , watching the two retreating figures -- one slender hand was on the table . Chauvelin saw that it was leaning rather heavily , as if for support , and that even whilst a final mocking laugh sped him and his colleague on their way , the tall figure of the conquered lion swayed like a stalwart oak that is forced to bend to the mighty fury of an all-compelling wind . With a sigh of content Chauvelin took his colleague by the arm , and together the two men walked out of the cell . Two hours after midnight Armand St. Just was wakened from sleep by a peremptory pull at his bell . In these days in Paris but one meaning could as a rule be attached to such a summons at this hour of the night , and Armand , though possessed of an unconditional certificate of safety , sat up in bed , quite convinced that for some reason which would presently be explained to him he had once more been placed on the list of the `` suspect , '' and that his trial and condemnation on a trumped-up charge would follow in due course . Truth to tell , he felt no fear at the prospect , and only a very little sorrow . The sorrow was not for himself ; he regretted neither life nor happiness .