about ten o'clock at night
and mistresses and servants embraced each other . Madame de la Tour said to Paul , -- `` My son , go and inform our neighbour of Virginia 's arrival . '' Domingo immediately lighted a torch of bois de ronde , and he and Paul bent their way towards my dwelling . It was about ten o'clock at night , and I was just going to extinguish my lamp , and retire to rest , when I perceived , through the palisades round my cottage , a light in the woods . Soon after , I heard the voice of Paul calling me . I instantly arose , and had hardly dressed myself , when Paul , almost beside himself , and panting for breath , sprang on my neck , crying , -- `` Come along , come along . Virginia is arrived .