one o’clock in the afternoon
those kind asses had said to him , and although they had told him of it only that death might be averted , the mere knowledge of its possibility at a certain hour again filled him with horror . It was probable that some day he should be assassinated , but it would not happen to-morrow -- it would not happen to-morrow -- and he could sleep undisturbed , as if he were really immortal . Fools -- they did not know what a great law they had dislodged , what an abyss they had opened , when they said in their idiotic kindness : `` At one o'clock in the afternoon , your Excellency ! '' `` No , not at one o'clock in the afternoon , your Excellency , but no one knows when . No one knows when ! What ? '' `` Nothing , '' answered Silence , `` nothing . ''