midnight
I will sit by the Pond till midnight , and if the bird sings then I will still hope , but if it does not I will dip my head in the water and not lift it again . '' So he went and lay down by the Pond in the darkness , and the hours wore away . But as the time of the bird 's song drew near he clasped his hands and prayed . But the bird did not sing ; and when he judged that midnight was come , he got upon his knees and prepared to put his head under the water . And as he did so he saw , on the opposite side of the Pond , the feeble light of a lantern . He could not see who held it , because even as he looked the bearer blew out the light ; but in that moment it appeared to him that she was as black as the night itself . So for awhile he knelt upon his side , and she remained on hers , both trembling ; but at last the King , dreading to startle her away , rose softly and went round the Pond to where he had seen her .