midnight
`` Talking of ghosts -- '' Nobody interrupted him this time , though he seemed to expect it , for he made a long , deliberate pause . `` Talking of ghosts , '' he repeated , staring around him triumphantly , `` I once had an encounter with a strange being that was _ not _ a ghost . I was a young man then -- young and full of the fire , strength , and courage of youth -- for what I am now going to relate happened over twenty years ago . I had been playing cards at a friend 's house , and left it at midnight to ride to my father 's house , a distance of five leagues . I had quarrelled that evening and left a loser , burning with anger against the man who had cheated and insulted me , and with whom I was not allowed to fight . Vowing vengeance on him , I rode away at a fast gallop ; the night being serene , and almost as light as day , for the moon was at its full . Suddenly I saw before me a huge man sitting on a white horse , which stood perfectly motionless directly in my path .