midnight
She collected all her strength and rose to a sitting posture , in order to bow graciously to Monsieur Bianchon , and beg him to accept something else than money for the good news he gave her . She said a few words in her mother 's ear , and Madame Sauviat immediately led away the doctors ; then Veronique requested the archbishop to postpone their interview till the rector could come to her , expressing a wish to rest for a while . Aline watched beside her . At midnight Madame Graslin awoke , and asked for the archbishop and rector , whom Aline silently showed her close at hand , praying for her . She made a sign dismissing her mother and the maid , and , at another sign , the two priests came to the bedside . `` Monseigneur , and you , my dear rector , '' she said , `` will hear nothing you do not already know . You were the first , Monseigneur , to cast your eyes into my inner self ; you read there nearly all my past ; and what you read sufficed you .