two o'clock in the
morning
When she had assured herself that all was tranquil , and that the throbbing of her heart was all that disturbed the silence , she continued preparing her plan of defense . She decided that she would be ill the next day and keep to her bed , if necessary , until her persecutor should make up his mind to beat a retreat . She solemnly pledged herself to be firm , courageous , and inflexible ; then she tried to pray . It was now two o'clock in the morning . For some time Clemence remained motionless , and one might have thought that at least she was asleep . Suddenly she arose . Without stopping to put on her dressing-gown , she lighted a candle by the night - lamp , pushed the bolt of her door and then went to the windows , the space between them forming a rather deep projection on account of the thickness of the walls .