midnight
Germain walked to the opposite side of the fire , and swore to God that he would not stir until she had waked . He kept his word , but not without a struggle . He thought that he would go mad . At length , toward midnight , the fog lifted , and Germain could see the stars shining through the trees . The moon freed herself from the mist which had hidden her , and began to sow her diamonds over the damp moss . The trunks of the oak-trees remained in impressive darkness , but beyond , the white branches of the birch-trees seemed a long line of phantoms in their shrouds . The fire cast its reflection in the pool ; and the frogs , growing accustomed to the light , hazarded a few shrill and uneasy notes ; the rugged branches of the old trees , bristling with dim-colored lichens , crossed and intertwined themselves , like great gaunt arms , above the travelers ' heads .