About midnight
`` Entirely , my lor ' , '' replied the latter ; `` bright , clear , as noonday at the sun . '' `` So , then , return to me when you have seen Chatelard , and let me know the result , '' said the earl . Choisseul once more withdrew , to perform the treacherous and knavish part assigned him . About midnight he sought the dungeon of the unhappy gentleman , and , having been admitted by the guards , found him busily employed in writing ; the indulgence of a lamp , with pen , ink , and paper , having , at his most earnest request , been afforded him . Indeed , these were more readily and willingly given than he was aware of . They were given in the hope that he would commit something to writing which , without his intending it , might compromise the character of the queen . But in this her enemies were disappointed .