midnight
When she had shut herself in her own room , and doubly locked her door , the light troubled her , and she blew out her candle . The moon , which rose later and later , had not yet appeared above the horizon , and the night was very dark . Without undressing , she seated herself before the open window , looked out into the deep shade , and waited patiently for the hours to pass . The minutes went by rapidly , as she was fully occupied with the one idea that as soon as the clock struck for midnight she would go down to find Felicien . As it would be the most natural thing in the world to do , she traced out her way , step by step , and every movement she would make with the most perfect composure . It was not very late when she heard the Abbe Cornille take his leave . Soon after , the Huberts , in their turn , came upstairs .