midnight
-- Prior , your collar is in danger ; I will wear it over my gorget in the lists of Ashby-de-la-Zouche . '' `` Win it fairly , '' said the Prior , `` and wear it as ye will ; I will trust your giving true response , on your word as a knight and as a churchman . Yet , brother , take my advice , and file your tongue to a little more courtesy than your habits of predominating over infidel captives and Eastern bondsmen have accustomed you . Cedric the Saxon , if offended , -- and he is noway slack in taking offence , -- is a man who , without respect to your knighthood , my high office , or the sanctity of either , would clear his house of us , and send us to lodge with the larks , though the hour were midnight . And be careful how you look on Rowena , whom he cherishes with the most jealous care ; an he take the least alarm in that quarter we are but lost men . It is said he banished his only son from his family for lifting his eyes in the way of affection towards this beauty , who may be worshipped , it seems , at a distance , but is not to be approached with other thoughts than such as we bring to the shrine of the Blessed Virgin . '' `` Well , you have said enough , '' answered the Templar ; `` I will for a night put on the needful restraint , and deport me as meekly as a maiden ; but as for the fear of his expelling us by violence , myself and squires , with Hamet and Abdalla , will warrant you against that disgrace .