midnight
`` There is Jacques , '' she explained , indicating the footman who had just assisted them to alight . Rougane departed confident of soon returning , leaving them to await him with the same confidence . But the hours succeeded one another , the night closed in , bedtime came , and still there was no sign of his return . They waited until midnight , each pretending for the other 's sake to a confidence fully sustained , each invaded by vague premonitions of evil , yet beguiling the time by playing tric-trac in the great salon , as if they had not a single anxious thought between them . At last on the stroke of midnight , madame sighed and rose . `` It will be for to-morrow morning , '' she said , not believing it . `` Of course , '' Aline agreed .