three
in the morning
And the string ascended . Gaston looked for the string at the window , and saw that it had disappeared . `` Ah , '' sighed he , `` the Bastille would be a palace for me , if my poor Helene were in Mademoiselle de Launay 's place . '' Then he resumed a conversation with Pompadour , which lasted till three in the morning , and in which he told him that he was going to pierce a hole , that they might have more direct communication . Thus occupied , Gaston was more uneasy than ennuyé ; besides , he found another source of amusement . Mademoiselle de Launay , who obtained whatever she liked from the lieutenant , Maison-Rouge , provided her request were only accompanied by a sweet smile , obtained paper and pens ; she had sent some to Dumesnil , who had shared them with Gaston , with whom he still communicated , and with Richelieu , with whom also he managed to correspond . Then Gaston formed the idea of making some verses to Helene .