midnight
In all Richter 's stories the plot goes for nothing ; it is on the thoughts that he strikes out by the way that his fame depends . _ I. -- Friendship _ `` Victor , '' said Flamin , to the young Englishman , `` give me this night thy friendship for ever , and swear to me that thou wilt never disturb me in my love to thee . Swear thou wilt never plunge me in misfortune and despair ! '' The two friends were standing at midnight in the mild , sweet air of May , alone on the watch-tower of the little watering place of St. Luna . It was their first meeting for eight years . Flamin was the son of Chaplain Eymann , who had retired from the court of the Prince of Flachsenfingen ; Victor was the heir of Lord Horion , a noble Englishman who lived at Flachsenfingen and directed all the affairs of the prince . The two boys had been sent in their infancy to London and brought up together there for twelve years ; then for six years they had lived with Chaplain Eymann at St. Luna , and Victor had naturally conceived a great affection for the old clergyman and a deep love for his son .