nearly four
o’clock in the morning
In this , of course , he would not require any aid ; but he had also to make arrangements for the abduction of the lady , a very beautiful young actress , who was beloved by both the nobleman and the comedian , and who would be zealously defended by the members of the dramatic company to which she belonged ; so that he should be obliged to resort to some stratagem , and would probably need the help of several hands to carry it out -- adding that they were sure of being well paid , for the young lord was as generous and open handed as he was wealthy and determined . Thereupon they fell to discussing the respective merits of their numerous friends and acquaintances -- gentlemen of the same stamp as themselves -- and having decided upon four , and determined to keep an eye upon Agostino , who seemed a clever rascal and might be of use , they called for another bottle of wine . When that was finished Jacquemin Lampourde was indisputably drunk , and having loyally kept his word , retired , somewhat unsteadily , to his own quarters in a high state of maudlin satisfaction , accompanied by his friend Malartic , whom he had invited to spend the night with him . By this time -- it was nearly four o'clock in the morning -- the Crowned Radish was almost deserted , and the master of the establishment , seeing that there was no prospect of further custom , told his servants to rouse up and turn out all the sleepers -- Agostino and Chiquita among the rest -- and his orders were promptly executed . The Duke of Vallombreuse was not a man to neglect his love affairs , any more than his enemies . If he hated de Sigognac mortally , he felt for Isabelle that furious passion which the unattainable is apt to excite in a haughty and violent nature like his , that has never met with resistance . To get possession of the young actress had become the ruling thought of his life .