about two o'clock
I was grateful to her from the bottom of my soul , for having restored purity to my wound and to my memory . The afternoon was to be devoted to a horseback ride along the sea-shore . In the effusion of heart that succeeded the anxieties of the night , I yielded quite readily to the entreaties of Monsieur de Malouet , who , arguing on my approaching departure , was urging me to accompany him on this excursion . It was about two o'clock when our cavalcade , recruited as usual by a few young men of the neighborhood , marched out of the chateau 's gate . We had been traveling merrily for a few minutes , and I was not the least merry of the band , when Madame de Palme suddenly came to take her place by my side . `` I am about to be guilty of a base deed , '' she said ; `` and yet , I had so strongly resolved -- but I am choking ! '' I looked at her ; the haggard expression of her eyes and of her features suddenly struck me with terror .