eleven o'clock
If these gentlemen had refused to give it to me , I should have bought it . '' `` But Malines , Lier , Duffel ? '' `` I passed through Malines and Lier , and sent a sure agent to Duffel . At eleven o'clock the French will be beaten ; at one they will be in full retreat ; at two Malines will open its dykes , Lier and Duffel their sluices , and the whole plain will become a furious ocean , which will drown houses , fields , woods , and villages , it is true , but at the same time will destroy the French so utterly , that not one will return to France . '' A silence of admiration and terror followed these words ; then all at once the Flemings burst into applause . William stepped forward , and , holding out his hand , said : `` Then , monseigneur , all is ready on our side ? '' `` All ; and , stay -- I believe on the side of the French also . ''