eight o'clock in the morning
No manifestation of regret was shown on the departure of the latter , perhaps they were watched through the closed shutters , but not a window or blind opened for a flower to fall which might say `` Au revoir , '' no waving handkerchief said `` Farewell ! '' One would have sworn it was a troop of the enemy leaving a town , and the town itself seemed only to wait for their departure in order to wake up and rejoice . Only the officers of the city battalion came to the station courteously to see them off , wishing nothing better than soon to fight them with deadly hate . Frederic left by the second train at eight o'clock in the morning , consequently Karl was late and it was Helen who waited for him . She was standing by the holy water stoup leaning against a white pillar . She smiled sadly when she saw Karl , gently dipped two fingers in the holy water and held them towards him . Karl took her whole hand , and made the sign of the cross with it .