midnight
His companion , who staid behind , was a youth : he took the old woman by the hand , and said : `` Can it be true , Alexia , that certain rites and spells , as those old wild stories , in which I could never put faith , tell us , can fetter the free will of man , and make love and hatred grow up in the heart ? '' `` Ay forsooth ! '' answered the scarlet woman ; `` but one and one must make two , and many a one must be added thereto , before such mighty things come to pass . It is not these candles alone , moulded beneath the midnight darkness of the new moon , and drencht with human blood , it is not the mere uttering magical words and incantations , that can give you the mastery over the soul of another : there is much more belonging to such works , as the initiated well know . '' `` I may depend upon you then ! '' cried the stranger . `` Tomorrow after midnight I am at your service , '' replied the old woman .