about midnight
In about ten minutes came another one , hardly so severe but of longer duration than the first . Her father and husband almost carried her indoors , for the short distance between the plane-tree and her room seemed miles to her ; she could not stifle her moans , and , overpowered by an intolerable sense of heaviness and weight , she implored them to let her sit down and rest . The child was not expected until September but , in case of accident , a horse was harnessed and old Simon galloped off after the doctor . He came about midnight and at once recognized the signs of a premature confinement . The actual pain had a little diminished , but Jeanne felt an awful deathly faintness , and she thought she was going to die , for Death is sometimes so close that his icy breath can almost be felt . The room was full of people . The baroness lay back in an armchair gasping for breath ; the baron ran hither and thither , bringing all manner of things and completely losing his head ; Julien walked up and down looking very troubled , but really feeling quite calm , and the Widow Dentu , whom nothing could surprise or startle , stood at the foot of the bed with an expression suited to the occasion on her face .