midnight
A fig for Bezers now . He had called us boys ; and we were boys . But he should yet find that we could thwart him . It could be scarcely half-an-hour after midnight ; we might still be in time . I stretched myself and trod the level door jubilantly , and then noticed , while doing so , that our hostess had retreated to the door and was eyeing us timidly -- half-scared . I advanced to her with my lowest bow -- sadly missing my sword . `` Madame , '' I said , `` I am M. Anne de Caylus , and these are my brothers .