midnight
The old grandam 's eyes rested on him as though he were a dear son , and Master Pernhart would come close to him now and again , and stroke his arm . Twice only did he hastily turn away and privily wipe his eyes . Nevertheless he saw our love-making with no jealousy ; nay , when Gotz could scarce tear himself away from my picture , Master Pernhart whispered to him that if ever a maid should stand in his Gertrude 's place it should be Margery , and the grandam had cried Amen . It was already midnight when horses ' hoofs were heard in the street , and when they stopped Gotz rose , and then presently all the others vanished from the chamber . Yet were we not long suffered to enjoy each other 's fellowship , inasmuch as he himself had ordered his horse , to the end that he might ride forth spite of the lateness of the hour to the forest . His servingman , himself the son of a forester , had been there already to desire Grubner , the headman , to bid my uncle to his dwelling early on the morrow , and the good son purposed there to gladden himself by meeting his father , after that he had greeted the house unseen in the darkness . But how hard it was to part after so brief a meeting from this newly - found and best-beloved lover , and to see the weary traveller fare forth once more into the dark night .