one o'clock
For a full minute there was silence in the room . The Vicomte gazed from the window with knitted brows and compressed lips , while his companion , seated near at hand , leant back in his chair , with an air of affected carefulness . Outside , the rattle of arms and hum of voices told that the watch were passing through the street . The church bell rang one o'clock . Suddenly the Vicomte burst into a forced laugh , and , turning , took up his cloak and sword . `` The trap was well laid , M. le Capitaine , '' he said almost jovially ; `` but I am still sober enough to take care of myself -- and of Lusigny . I wish you good night .