nine o’clock
The moon brought out in full relief the various roofs and towers on which it played and sparkled . Michu gazed at this baronial structure in a manner that upset all his wife 's ideas about him ; his face , now calm , wore a look of hope and also a sort of pride . His eyes scanned the horizon with a glance of defiance ; he listened for sounds in the air . It was now nine o'clock ; the moon was beginning to cast its light upon the margin of the forest and to illumine the little bluff on which they stood . The position struck him as dangerous and he left it , fearful of being seen . But no suspicious noise troubled the peace of the beautiful valley encircled on this side by the forest of Nodesme . Marthe , exhausted and trembling , was awaiting some explanation of their hurried ride .