midnight
After pacing to and fro along the walk for a short time , he entered the arbour , and was about to throw himself upon the bench , when he observed a slip of paper lying upon it . He took it up , and found a few lines traced upon it in hurried characters . They ran thus : -- `` The Fair Geraldine arrived this morning in the castle . If the Earl of Surrey desires to meet her , he will find her within this arbour at midnight . '' This billet was read and re-read by the young earl with feelings of indescribable transport ; but a little reflection damped his ardour , and made him fear it might be a device to ensnare him . There was no certainty that the note proceeded in any way from the Fair Geraldine , nor could he even be sure that she was in the castle . Still , despite these misgivings , the attraction was too powerful to be resisted , and he turned over the means of getting out of his chamber , but the scheme seemed wholly impracticable .