midnight
Do you think that Godfrey of Bouillon would turn back upon his pilgrimage for such an unworthy purpose ; or that the Countess of Paris would accept as a service , means of safety which would stain her honour for ever , by breaking an appointment solemnly made on her own challenge ? -- Never ! '' `` My judgment is then at fault , '' said the Varangian , `` for I see I can hammer out no expedient which is not , in some extravagant manner or another , controlled by your foolish notions . Here is a man who has been trapped into the power of his enemy , that he might not interfere to prevent a base stratagem upon his lady , involving both her life and honour ; yet he thinks it a matter of necessity that he keeps faith as precisely with these midnight poisoners , as he would had it been pledged to the most honourable men ! '' `` Thou say ` st a painful truth , '' said Count Robert ; `` but my word is the emblem of my faith ; and if it pass to a dishonourable or faithless foe , it is imprudently done on my part ; but if I break it , being once pledged , it is a dishonourable action , and the disgrace can never be washed from my shield . '' `` Do you mean , then , '' said the Varangian , `` to suffer your wife 's honour to remain pledged as it at present is , on the event of an unequal combat ? '' `` God and the saints pardon thee such a thought ! ''