ten o'clock
Or was it a mysterious voice , reaching them from some far-distant field of carnage , ominous of disaster ? The whole camp shuddered , lying there in the shadows , and the strained , tense sensation of expectant anxiety that hung , miasma-like , in the air became more strained , more feverish , as they waited for telegrams that seemed as if they would never come . In the distance , at the farmhouse , the candle that lighted the dreary watches of the staff burned up more brightly , with an erect , unflickering flame , as if it had been of wax instead of tallow . But it was ten o'clock , and Gaude , rising to his feet from the ground where he had been lost in the darkness , sounded taps , the first in all the camp . Other bugles , far and near , took up the strain , and it passed away in the distance with a dying , melancholy wail , as if the angel of slumber had already brushed with his wings the weary men . And Weiss , who had lingered there so late , embraced Maurice affectionately ; courage , and hope ! he would kiss Henriette for her brother and would have many things to tell uncle Fouchard when they met .