midnight
Life had grown dearer to me , without death becoming more dreaded . Her image next my heart made me feel as if I should combat beneath her very eyes , and I burned to acquit myself as became one who loved her . A wild , half frantic joy animated me as I went , and was caught by the gay companions around me . At midnight a despatch reached me , ordering me to hasten forward by a forced march to Montereau , the bridge of which town was a post of the greatest importance , and must be held against the Austrians till Victor could come up . We lost not a moment . It was a calm frosty night , with a bright moon , and we hastened along without halting . About an hour before daybreak we were met by a cavalry patrol , who informed us that Gérard and Victor had both arrived , but too late : Montereau was held by the Wurtemberg troops , who garrisoned the village , and defended the bridge with a strong force of artillery ; twice the French troops had been beaten back with tremendous loss , and all looked for the morrow to renew the encounter .