midnight
How shall I tell you , my friend ? As I had foreseen , the unfortunate child , notwithstanding her courage and strong will , had not strength to accomplish entirely the barbarous custom , which it had been Impossible for the Princess Juliana to dispense with , as the rules on this subject were precise . At eight o'clock in the evening , Fleur-de-Marie kneeled down on the stone pavement in the church . Until midnight she continued praying . But at this hour , overcome by her weakness , the horrible cold , and her emotion , for she wept long and silently , she fainted . Two nuns , who by the Princess Juliana 's order had watched with her , took her up , and carried her to her cell . David was immediately called .