twenty minutes to four
only two hours of life , two hours more of life . The sun was already sinking toward the horizon ; a great calm descended from the pale winter sky , and he heard at intervals the whistles of the distant locomotives crossing the bare plain . The train that was passing now was the one going to the Tulettes ; the other , the one coming from Marseilles , would it never arrive , then ! At twenty minutes to four Pascal signed to Ramond to approach . He could no longer speak loud enough to be heard . `` You see , in order that I might live until six o'clock , the pulse should be stronger . I have still some hope , however , but the second movement is almost imperceptible , the heart will soon cease to beat . ''