midnight
`` To whom was the letter addressed ? '' `` To you , sir . I saw the writing on the envelope : Prince Serge Rénine . '' He waited until midnight , but in vain . Hortense did not return ; nor did she return next day . `` Not a word to any one , '' said Rénine to the maid . `` Say that your mistress is in the country and that you are going to join her . ''