the midnight of Wednesday
It is universally considered as the first step in the direction of recovery . The action of the Count 's mind was `` transferred , '' therefore , since the word is consecrated by usage . Fortunately for him , the transfer coincided with a material change in his fortunes . Had this not been the case it would have had the effect of making him mad through the whole week , and sane only from Tuesday evening until the midnight of Wednesday . As it was , the result was of a contrary nature . Being now in reality restored to wealth and dignity , he was able to understand and appreciate the reality during six days , becoming again , in imagination , a cigarette-maker upon the seventh , a harmless delusion which already shows signs of disappearing , and from which the principal authorities confidently assert that he will soon be quite free . He passed but one moment in a state of semi-consciousness .