eight o'clock
For an instant I forgot all that had happened , and gazed on his magnificent crest and splendid shape with an ecstasy of delight . `` Ay , '' said the dragoon , whose eyes were riveted in the same quarter , `` there 's not a marshal of France so well mounted ; and he knows the trumpet-call like the oldest soldier of the troop . '' `` You will return to-morrow , '' said I , recovering myself suddenly , and endeavoring to appear composed and at ease . `` Well , then , to-night I shall give you an answer for the general ; be here at eight o'clock . '' I saw that my troubled air and broken voice had not escaped the soldier 's notice , and was glad when the door closed , and I was again alone . My first care was to write to the general ; nor was it till after many efforts I succeeded to my satisfaction in conveying , in a few and simple words , the reasons of that step which must imbitter my future life . I explained how deeply continued mistrust had wounded me ; how my spirit , as a soldier and a gentleman , revolted at the espionage established over my actions ; that it was in weighing these insults against the wreck of all my hopes , I had chosen that path which had neither fame nor rank nor honor , but still left me an untrammelled spirit and a mind at peace with itself .