midnight
In the meantime , the Chevalier courteously imparted to his fair cousin the marriage of his daughter , Mademoiselle Diane de Ribaumont with M. le Comte de Selinville , which had taken place on the last St. Martin 's day , and of his niece , Mademoiselle Eustacie de Ribaumont de Nid de Merle with his son , who had received permission to take her father 's title of Marquis de Nid de Merle . The wedding was to take place at Bellaise before the end of the Cardinal , and would be concluded before this letter came to hand . Lastly , there was an ill written and spelt letter , running somewhat thus -- ` Monseigneur , -- Your faithful servant hopes that Monsieur le Baron will forgive him for not returning , since I have been assured by good priests that it is not possible to save my soul in a country of heretics . I have done everything as Monsieur commanded , I have gone down into Anjou , and have had the honour to see the young lady to whom Monsieur le Baron charged me with a commission , and I delivered to her his letter , whereupon the lady replied that she thanked M. le Baron for the honour he had done her , but that being on the point of marriage to M. le Marquis de Nid de Merle , she did not deem it fitting to write to him , nor had she any tokens to send him , save what he had received on the St. Barthelemy midnight ; they might further his suit elsewhere . These , Monsieur , were her words , and she laughed as she said them , so gaily that I thought her fairer than ever . I have prevailed with her to take me into her service as intendant of the Chateau de Nid de Merle , knowing as she does my fidelity to the name of Ribaumont . And so , trusting Monseigneur will pardon me for what I do solely for the good of my soul , I will ever pray for his welfare , and remain , ` His faithful menial and valet , ` LANDRY OSBERT . '