midnight
Elizabeth was pale and had a convulsive twitching about her mouth , her form trembled feverishly , and she was obliged to cling to Razumovsky , to prevent falling . `` Did you hear the opening of the court-yard gate ? '' she breathed low . `` Lestocq is not yet here , and it is past midnight . Certainly he is arrested , all is discovered , and we are lost ! I am fearfully anxious , Alexis ; I already seem to feel the sword at my throat . Ah , hear you not steps in the corridor ?