The Count of Monte Cristo

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and gave no indication that so important an event as the signature of a
marriage-contract was going on. Morrel looked at his watch, which wanted
a quarter to ten; but soon the same clock he had already heard strike
two or three times rectified the error by striking half-past nine.

This was already half an hour past the time Valentine had fixed. It
was a terrible moment for the young man. The slightest rustling of the
foliage, the least whistling of the wind, attracted his attention, and
drew the perspiration to his brow; then he tremblingly fixed his ladder,
and, not to lose a moment, placed his foot on the first step. Amidst
all these alternations of hope and fear, the clock struck ten. "It is
impossible," said Maximilian, "that the signing of a contract should
occupy so long a time without unexpected interruptions. I have weighed
all the chances, calculated the time required for all the forms;
something must have happened." And then he walked rapidly to and fro,
and pressed his burning forehead against the fence. Had Valentine
fainted? or had she been discovered and stopped in her flight? These