midnight
Although the clientele was almost exclusively English , she spoke only French , explaining herself to Britons by means of benevolent smiles . `` I think I shall go to bed , Jacqueline , '' said the mistress , in reply . A strange reply , thought Jacqueline . The unalterable custom of Jacqueline was to retire at midnight and to rise at five-thirty . Her mistress also usually retired about midnight , and during the final hour mistress and portress saw a good deal of each other . And considering that Jacqueline had just been sent up into the mistress 's own bedroom to glance at Fossette , and that the bulletin was satisfactory , and that madame and Jacqueline had several customary daily matters to discuss , it seemed odd that madame should thus be going instantly to bed . However , Jacqueline said nothing but : `` Very well , madame .