four o’clock
Then came the last blow , smiting asunder the bonds between soul and body , striking down to life 's sources ; and suddenly Pons regained for a few brief moments the perfect calm that follows the struggle . He came to himself , and with the serenity of death in his face he looked round almost smilingly at them . `` Ah , doctor , I have had a hard time of it ; but you were right , I am doing better . Thank you , my good Abbe ; I was wondering what had become of Schmucke -- '' `` Schmucke has had nothing to eat since yesterday evening , and now it is four o'clock ! You have no one with you now and it would be wise to send for Mme. Cibot . '' `` She is capable of anything ! '' said Pons , without attempting to conceal all his abhorrence at the sound of her name .