midnight
Why I decided to silence my love I can not say . Nevertheless , instead of returning home , I began to wander about the woods like a fool . Whenever I found a bench I sat down only to rise precipitately . Toward midnight I approached Madame Pierson 's house ; she was at the window . Seeing her there I began to tremble and tried to retrace my steps , but I was fascinated ; I advanced gently and sadly and sat down beneath her window . I do not know whether she recognized me ; I had been there some time when I heard her sweet , fresh voice singing the refrain of a romance , and at the same instant a flower fell on my shoulder . It was a rose she had worn that evening on her bosom ; I picked it up and pressed it to my lips .