midnight
And the light of the sky turned here from silver to gray , and she felt about her the stir of unseen things . But she looked neither to the right nor the left , but followed the snow-white hart that went before her . It brought her at last to its own drinking-place , and as soon as she saw it old rumors gathered themselves into a truth , and she knew that this was the lost Wishing-Pool . And she remembered that this night was Midsummer Eve , and by the position of the ghostly moon she saw it was close on midnight . So she knelt down by the edge of the mere , and stretched her hands above it , the palms to the stars , and in a low clear voice she made her prayer . `` Whatever spirit dwells under these waters , '' said she , `` I know not whether you are a power for good or ill . But if it is true that you will answer in this hour the need of any that calls on you -- oh , Spirit , my need is very great to-night .