midnight
With swift motion the girl covered her face with her hands and Herbert saw the crystal drops trickle between her fingers . For long she could not speak and then mastering her emotion , she said brokenly : `` I can not accept , I can not now accept . I can take no advantage of a helpless prisoner . At midnight I shall come and set you free , thus my act may atone for the great wrong of your imprisonment ; atone partially if not wholly . When you are at liberty , if you wish to forget your words , which I can never do , then am I amply repaid that my poor presence called them forth . If you remember them , and demand of the Countess that I stand as hostage for peace , she is scarce likely to deny you , for she loves not war . But know that nothing you have said is to be held against you , for I would have you leave this castle as free as when you entered it .