twelve o'clock
The whole glittered most brilliantly . There was a network over all , as if a spider had spun silver threads in front of it . I very often put that on afterwards to add to the effect , though my friend North East Wind pooh-poohs at it ; but he knows nothing about art . It was twelve o'clock , as I said , and the moon was shining brightly ; as it rose higher , a moon-beam passed through the window , and through the very square of glass that I had taken such pains with . It passed like a carriage-way right by the great door of the Queen 's palace , while the other end rested on the bed where Milly was sleeping . I was standing on the window sash , just touching up the work a little , when , all of a sudden , what should I see but her Beauty Queen Mab with eleven attendants ; she came out of the great door of the palace I had painted -- that was the finest effect of all . She got into her sleigh which is made of a dove-feather , curling up in front , and which is drawn by twelve lady birds : the lady birds all had on robes of caterpillar fuz to keep them warm .