midnight
They surrounded her and even cut off Czipra 's way , waiting curiously for what the gypsy would say . `` It is a harmless remedy , and costs nothing . '' The gypsy woman drew nearer to Czipra . `` When at midnight the nightingale sings below your window , take notice on what branch it sat . Go out bare-footed , break down that branch , set it in a flower-pot , put it in your window , sprinkle it with water from your mouth : before the branch droops , your lover will return , and will never leave you again . '' The girls laughed loudly at the gypsy woman 's enchantment . The woman held her hand out before Czipra in cringing supplication .