eight o'clock
He pleased himself with the idea that he should die sword in hand , in his brother 's arms , under a French flag , and that his death would be talked about until the sound even reached the solitude in which the mysterious lady lived . Noble follies ! glorious , yet sad dreams ! Just as -- full of these thoughts -- he came in sight of Valenciennes , from whose church tower eight o'clock was sounding , he perceived that they were about to close the gates . He pushed on , and nearly overturned , on the drawbridge , a man who was fastening the girths of his horse . Henri stopped to make excuses to the man , who turned at the sound of his voice , and then quickly turned away again . Henri started , but immediately thought , `` I must be mad ; Remy here , whom I left four days ago in the Rue de Bussy ; here now , without his mistress .