midnight
Eventually , every calamity that happened thereabouts was laid at the door of that music . Consequently , no boatmen would consent to pass the cave at night ; the peasants shunned the place , even in the daytime . But the faithful girl sang on , night after night , month after month , and patiently waited ; her reward must come at last . Five years dragged by , and still , every night at midnight , the plaintive tones floated out over the silent land , while the distant boatmen and peasants thrust their fingers into their ears and shuddered out a prayer . And now came the Crusader home , bronzed and battle-scarred , but bringing a great and splendid fame to lay at the feet of his bride . The old lord of Hornberg received him as his son , and wanted him to stay by him and be the comfort and blessing of his age ; but the tale of that young girl 's devotion to him and its pathetic consequences made a changed man of the knight . He could not enjoy his well-earned rest .