midnight
* * * * * And a year and a day after that a little daughter was born to them . ` Now sweetheart , ' said King Bellamant -- he was king now because the old king and queen had retired from the business , and were keeping pigs and hens in the country as they had always planned to do -- ` dear sweetheart and life 's love , I am going to ring the bells with my own hands , to show how glad I am for you , and for the child , and for our good life together . ' So he went out . It was very dark , because the baby princess had chosen to be born at midnight . The King went out to the belfry , that stood in the great , bare , quiet , moonlit square , and he opened the door . The furry-pussy bell-ropes , like huge caterpillars , hung on the first loft . The King began to climb the curly-wurly stone stair .