ten o'clock
He must have left them a full half-hour . The town was growing quiet , the sound of the evening psalms was ceasing . The rustle of the wind among the branches covered the tread of the sentries as they walked the wall between the Porte Neuve and the Mint tower ; only their harsh voices as they met midway and challenged came at intervals to his ears . It must be hard on ten o'clock . Or , no , there was the bell of St. Peter 's proclaiming the half-hour after nine . He was ashamed to return to the house , yet he must return ; and by-and-by , reluctantly and doggedly , he set his face that way . The wind and rain had cooled his brow , but not his brain , and he was still in a fever of resentment and shame when his lagging feet brought him to the house .