seven in the
evening
I feared that I could not go to see Catharine on her fête-day ; but two companies of infantry set out with pick-axes , and dug through the frozen snow a way for carriages , and that road remained open until the beginning of April , 1813 . Nevertheless , Catharine 's birthday approached day by day , and my happiness increased in proportion . I had already the thirty-five francs , but I did not know how to tell Monsieur Goulden that I wished to buy the watch ; I wanted to keep the whole matter secret ; and I did not at all like to talk about it . At length , on the eve of the eventful day , between six and seven in the evening , while we were working in silence , the lamp between us , suddenly I took my resolution , and said : `` You know , Monsieur Goulden , that I spoke to you of a purchaser for the little silver watch . '' `` Yes , Joseph , '' said he , without raising his head , `` but he has not come yet . '' `` It is I who am the purchaser , Monsieur Goulden . '' Then he looked up in astonishment .