midnight
before
`` He is now within the walls of Quebec , but he will be well cared for . '' Batoche then took up the account from the beginning and detailed all its circumstances , both from what he had witnessed himself and from what he had afterwards heard at headquarters . The report was graphic and lucid , such as might be expected from so intelligent a soldier . It was midnight before he had closed the history , and his companions listened to it with the most absorbed attention . `` And now about yourself , '' said Sieur Sarpy . `` How did you manage to escape ? '' Both Batoche and little Blanche smiled , the child nestling more closely and lovingly in his arms .