midnight
Was it the sad separation from him , the taking leave of her father , or her new love , which was bestowed on a man whom he also esteemed , that impressed upon her nature the stamp of a nobility which beseemed her as well as it suited her aristocratic beauty ? Never had it appeared to him so utterly impossible that he could yield her to another without resistance . Perhaps the man chosen by such a jewel was more worthy than he , but no one 's love could surpass his in strength and fervour . She had tested it , and he need no longer call himself an insignificant suitor ; for , if he gained possession of the living which Don Luis had ready for him , if he obtained a high position in Valladolid -- But his friend gave him no time to pursue such thoughts further , for , while Barbara shortly after midnight stole down the stairs like a criminal , and Quijada conducted her to her imperial lover , Erasmus began to press him with demands which he was obliged to reject . The Wittenberg master of arts , ever since his first meeting with his friend , had been on the point of asking the question how he , who had obtained in the school of poets an insight into the pure word of God , could prevail upon himself to continue to wear the chains of Rome and remain a Catholic . Wolf had expected this query , and , while he filled his companion 's goblet with the good Wurzburg wine which Ursula provided , he begged him not to bring religion into their conversation . The young Wittenberg theologian , however , had come for the express purpose of discussing it with his friend .