midnight
`` Give yourself a little rest , Fraulein . As soon as the Junker comes back , I 'll bring him to you . '' The young wife left the room and seated herself at the spinning-wheel with Barbara . Georg kept them waiting a long time , but at midnight again appeared , accompanied by two companions . It was not within the limits of the captain 's authority to grant him a leave of absence for several weeks -- the journey to Italy would have required that length of time -- but the Junker had consulted the musician , and the latter had found the right man , with whom Wilhelm speedily made the necessary arrangements , and brought him without delay : it was the old steward , Belotti . On the morning of the following day the spacious shooting-grounds , situated not far from the White Gate , between the Rapenburg and the city - wall , presented a busy scene , for by a decree of the council the citizens and inhabitants , without exception , no matter whether they were poor or rich , of noble or plebeian birth , were to take a solemn oath to be loyal to the Prince and the good cause . Commissioner Van Bronkhorst , Burgomaster Van der Werff , and two other magistrates , clad in festal attire , stood under a group of beautiful linden-trees to receive the oaths of the men and youths , who flocked to the spot .