midnight
Retainer I have none , nor ever had , so trusted , or loved , as Anichino . But wherefore put such a question ? '' Now , when Anichino wist that Egano was awake , and heard them talk of himself , he more than once tried to withdraw his hand , being mightily afraid lest the lady meant to play him false ; but she held it so tightly that he might not get free , while thus she made answer to Egano : -- `` I will tell thee what he is . I thought that he was all thou sayst , and that none was so loyal to thee as he , but he has undeceived me , for that yesterday , when thou wast out a hawking , he , being here , chose his time , and had the shamelessness to crave of me compliance with his wanton desires : and I , that I might not need other evidence than that of thine own senses to prove his guilt to thee , I made answer , that I was well content , and that to-night , after midnight , I would get me into the garden , and await him there at the foot of the pine . Now go thither I shall certainly not ; but , if thou wouldst prove the loyalty of thy retainer , thou canst readily do so , if thou but slip on one of my loose robes , and cover thy face with a veil , and go down and attend his coming , for come , I doubt not , he will . '' Whereto Egano : -- `` Meet indeed it is , '' quoth he , `` that I should go see ; '' and straightway up he got , and , as best he might in the dark , he put on one of the lady 's loose robes and veiled his face , and then hied him to the garden , and sate down at the foot of the pine to await Anichino . The lady no sooner wist that he was out of the room , than she rose , and locked the door .