midnight
Soon after came our wench and her maid , both very tired , God knows ; and the good host came forth , and received his guests as he had been enjoined , and as he had promised . He caused mademoiselle to be taken to a fair chamber , and a good fire to be made , and brought the best wine in the house , and sent for some fine fresh cherries , and came to banquet with her whilst supper was getting ready . When he saw his opportunity , he began to make his approaches to her , but in a roundabout way . To cut matters short , an agreement was made between them that he should come secretly at midnight to sleep with her . This being arranged , he went and told the husband of the dame , who , at the hour named , went in mine host 's instead , and did the best he could , and rose before daybreak and returned to his own bed . When it was day , the wench , quite vexed and melancholy , called her maid , and they rose , and dressed as hastily as they could , and would have paid the host , but he said he would take nothing from her . And with that she left without hearing Mass , or seeing St. Michael , or breakfasting either ; and without saying a single word , returned home .