midnight
` Not one minute later than sunset to-morrow . I set out a day sooner than needful because of a mysteriously worded message I received , warning me to make all haste lest I lose my bride , ' was the reply . '' ` You have an enemy , ' said the fairy , ` but we may be able to help you . You must wait the hour of audience , which is on the stroke of midnight ; ' with this she disappeared . `` The young man , left alone , seemed to hear all about him mocking voices singing : -- '' ` The ducks and the geese they all swim over -- ' `` and again and again he went to the water 's edge , resolved to attempt to cross on the rocks , but the sight of the wild torrent told him it would be certain death . `` As night came on he at length fell into a troubled sleep with his head against the trunk of the oak tree . He was aroused by soft music and twinkling lights , and beheld before him , ranged in a semicircle , the fairy queen and her attendants .