midnight
`` After waiting so many hours , he has scarcely a word for me , and leaves me without salutation ! '' But when Napoleon was near the door , he turned round and walked hastily toward the empress . `` Good-night , my dear Josephine , '' he said , giving his hand to her . `` It is already late -- near midnight -- retire . We shall not meet again to-day ; farewell , and _ au revoir _ ! '' He nodded to her , and then left the room for his cabinet . On arriving there , he bolted the small door leading into the corridor , and thence into the apartments of the empress , calling in a loud voice , `` Constant ! ''