midnight
It may seem a nice distinction , but to me there were whole seas between the two modes of death . I need not blush in advance for being shot -- my friends could bear that without humiliation ; but hanging would have always tainted their memory of me , try as they would against it . `` The gallows is ready , and my orders were to see him hanged , '' Mr. Lancy said . `` An order came at midnight that he should be shot , '' was Gabord 's reply , producing the order , and handing it over . The officer contemptuously tossed it back , and now , a little more courteous , ordered me against the wall , and I let my cloak fall to the ground . I was placed where , looking east , I could see the Island of Orleans , on which was the summer-house of the Seigneur Duvarney . Gabord came to me and said , `` M'sieu ' , you are a brave man '' -- then , all at once breaking off , he added in a low , hurried voice , '' 'T is not a long flight to heaven , m ` sieu ' ! ''