twelve o'clock
When it was close upon midnight I set out on my journey , and soon reached the Ponte Vecchio . I found the bridge deserted , and determined to await the appearance of him who called me . It was a cold night ; the moon shone brightly , and I looked down upon the waves of the Arno , which sparkled far away in the moonlight . It was now striking twelve o'clock from all the churches of the city , when I looked up and saw a tall man standing before me completely covered in a scarlet cloak , one end of which hid his face . At first I was somewhat frightened , because he had made his appearance so suddenly ; but was however myself again shortly afterwards , and said : `` If it is you who have ordered me here , say what you want ? '' The man dressed in scarlet turned round and said in an undertone : `` Follow ! '' At this , however , I felt a little timid to go alone with this stranger .