midnight
Rand , though tall and largely built , moved with the step and carriage , light and lithe , of one who has used the woods ; the Frenchman had the suppleness of his profession and of an ancient courtier . Now they bowed one to the other , now each to an imaginary lady . Mr. Pincornet issued directions in the tone of a general ordering a charge , his pupil obeyed implicitly . In the silent house , raised high on a mountain-top above a sleeping world , in the lit room with many open windows , through which poured the fragrance of spring , they practised until midnight the _ minuet de la cour . _ The hour struck ; they gravely ceased to dance , and after five minutes spent in mutual compliments , closed the long windows and put out the superfluous lights , then said good-night , and , bedroom candle in hand , repaired each to his own chamber . Rand had risen at dawn , and his day had been a battlefield , but before he lay down in the dimity-hung , four-post bed he sat long at the window of his small , white , quiet room . The moon shone brightly ; the air was soft and sweet .