midnight
Monsieur de Castries , containing himself with difficulty during the rest of the meal , at which was gathered a large and mixed company , drew the American gentlemen aside as soon as possible and confided to them the disastrous intelligence he had just received . `` The King sent Monsieur de la Luzerne with the message , '' he said . `` He found Necker at dinner , and , exacting a promise of absolute secrecy , delivered to him the King 's decree . Without a word Monsieur Necker proposed to his wife a visit to some friends , but went instead to his place at St. Ouen , and at midnight set out for Brussels . '' `` What madness ! '' exclaimed Mr. Morris . `` Does the King , then , not realize that he is no longer the power in the state ?