midnight
Martin conducted the gentlemen through the rooms , and by the light of a candle showed them the condition of things . The officers , with obvious annoyance , discovered a ` veritable pogrom ' . They could not be expected to understand what the loss incurred by the scattering of so many books meant to me ; one of them smelt of English ` Sweet Pea ' perfume , like a bouquet of flowers . Yet they clinked their spurs together , and as they went out they again apologized for the injury done and appointed a sentry , who went on guard at midnight . Day came fall of clouds that hung right over the tops of the trees , full of wind and cold , but dry -- quite a genuine summer day . Round the house from early morning soldiers were moving about , mitigating the weariness of the man on guard . Now one , now another wanted to see how the pillaged house looked .