midnight
Fiercer far than love had been was the jealousy -- that almost almighty child of heaven and hell -- which now spurred me on to follow Lucila 's steps , from her home to the church , from thence to the house of a friend , from thence again to her home or to some noble circle of knights and ladies , and all this as unweariedly and as closely as was possible . When I had at length assured myself that no other young knight attended her , and that she devoted herself entirely to the husband chosen for her by her parents rather than desired by herself , I felt perfectly satisfied , and I should not have troubled you at this moment had not Lucila approached me the day before yesterday and whispered in my ear that I must not provoke her husband , for he was very passionate and bold ; that not the slightest danger threatened her in the matter , because he loved and honored her above everything , but that his wrath would vent itself all the more furiously upon me . You can readily understand , my noble comrade , that I could not help proving my contempt of all personal danger by following Lucila more closely than ever , and singing nightly serenades beneath her flower-decked windows till the morning star began to be reflected in the sea . This very night Lucila 's husband sets out at midnight for Madrid , and from that hour I will in every way avoid the street in which they live ; until then , however , as soon as it is sufficiently dark to be suitable for a serenade , I will have love-romances unceasingly sang before his house . It is true I have information that not only he but Lucila 's brothers are really to enter upon a quarrel with me , and it is for this reason , Senor , that I have requested you to bear me company with your good sword in this short expedition . '' Heimbert seized the Spaniard 's hand as a pledge of his readiness , saying as he did so , `` To show you , dear sir , how gladly I will do what you desire of me , I will requite your confidence with confidence , and will relate a little incident which occurred to me in this city , and will beg you after midnight also to render me a small service . My story is short , and will not detain us longer than we must wait before the twilight has become deeper and more gloomy .