midnight
`` What call you that ? '' asked Vivian . `` Tis the great bird , sir ; the great horned owl , that always flies before the Wild Hunter . And truly , sir , I have passed through many forests in my time , but never yet saw I one where I should sooner expect to hear a midnight bugle . If you will allow me , sir , I will ride by your side . Thank God , at least , it is not the Walpurgis night ! '' `` I wish to Heaven it were ! ''