midnight
From morning till night we laugh and sing , and the rest of the time we dance the farandole ... like this ... _ té ! _ '' So saying , he cut a double shuffle with the grace and lightness of a big cockchafer trying its wings . But the delegates had not the steel nerves nor the indefatigable spirit of their chief . Excour-baniès growled out : `` He ` ll keep us here till midnight . '' But Bravida jumped up , furious . `` Let us go to bed , _ vé ! _ I ca n't stand my sciatica ... '' Tartarin consented , remembering the ascension on the morrow ; and the Tarasconese , candlesticks in hand , went up the broad staircase of granite that led to the chambers , while Baltet went to see about provisions and hire the mules and guides .