midnight
`` When the King raised his head , the monitor had vanished . '' ` The Marshal and myself had cast To stop him as he outward pass 'd ; But , lighter than the whirlwind 's blast , He vanish 'd from our eyes , Like sunbeam on the billow cast That glances but , and dies . ' '' While telling the strange story , Sir David had not marked in the dim twilight the pallor that had overspread the countenance of Marmion , who , after a pause , said : `` Three days ago , I had judged your tale a myth , but since crossing the Tweed , I have seen that which makes me credit the miracle you relate . '' He hesitated , and evidently wished his remark unmade , but pressed by the strong impulse that prompts man to reveal a secret to some listening ear , he told of the midnight ride and the tilt with the elfin knight at Gifford 's Court . The same sly expression crept over the face of the King-at-arms as he asked , `` Where lodged the Palmer on that fateful night ? '' Here their conversation was interrupted . By the King 's command , each train on the following day was to proceed by its own way to Scotland 's camp , near Edinburgh .