midnight
Some one is coming , '' he whispered . And he sped quickly from her side and into the outer room , where he sank noiselessly on to his chair as the steps ascended the stone staircase and a glow of yellow light grew gradually in the doorway that opened on to it . That he might inspire the more confidence in the Dowager and her son Garnache organized and performed a little comedy at Condillac a couple of nights after his appointment as mademoiselle 's gaoler . He gave an alarm at dead midnight , and when half-clad men , followed presently by madame and Marian , rushed into the anteroom where he stood , a very picture of the wildest excitement , he drew their attention to two twisted sheets , tied end to end , hanging from the window which overlooked the moat ; and in answer to the marquise 's questions he informed her that he had been disturbed by sounds of movements and upon entering the chamber he had discovered mademoiselle making these preparations for departure . Valerie , locked in the inner chamber , refused to come forth as the Marquise bade her , but her voice reassured Madame de Condillac of her presence , and so , since her attempt had failed , madame was content to let her be . `` The little fool , '' she said , peering down from the window into the night ; `` she would have been killed for certain . Her rope of sheets does not reach more than a third of the way down .