midnight
`` I will go , then , '' said Henri ; `` this is the last time I shall play the knight-errant for any one against his will ; '' and , reentering the wood as the carriage dashed off at full speed , he proceeded by narrow paths toward the castle , followed at a short distance by Grandchamp and his small escort . On arriving at the foot of the western tower , he reined in his horse . He did not alight , but , approaching so near the wall that he could rest his foot upon an abutment , he stood up , and raised the blind of a window on the ground-floor , made in the form of a portcullis , such as is still seen on some ancient buildings . It was now past midnight , and the moon was hidden behind the clouds . No one but a member of the family could have found his way through darkness so profound . The towers and the roof formed one dark mass , which stood out in indistinct relief against the sky , hardly less dark ; no light shone throughout the chateau , wherein all inmates seemed buried in slumber . Cinq-Mars , enveloped in a large cloak , his face hidden under the broad brim of his hat , awaited in suspense a reply to his signal .