midday, evening
Yet , conscious of my dreadful secret , I dared not ask for her hand . But the year was nearly up since I had made the fateful bargain , and I looked forward to the promised visit of the grey man , whom I hoped to persuade to take back his bag for my shadow . In fact , I told the verdurer that on the first of the next month I should ask him for his daughter 's hand . The anniversary arrived -- midday , evening , midnight . I waited through the long hours , heard the clock strike twelve ; but the grey man did not come ! Towards morning I fell into a fitful slumber . I was awakened by angry voices .