about midnight
Had I but words apt to praise them as they deserve , my eloquence were inexhaustible . The gentlewoman 's gaze was fixed on Anichino as he spoke ; she made no doubt that all he said was true , and yielding to his appeal , she entertained his love within her heart in such measure that she too began to sigh , and after a sigh or two made answer : -- `` Sweet my Anichino , be of good cheer ; neither presents nor promises , nor any courting by gentleman , or lord , or whoso else -LRB- for I have been and am still courted by not a few -RRB- was ever able to sway my soul to love any of them : but thou , by the few words that thou hast said , hast so wrought with me that , brief though the time has been , I am already in far greater measure thine than mine . My love I deem thee to have won right worthily ; and so I give it thee , and vow to give thee joyance thereof before the coming night be past . To which end thou wilt come to my room about midnight ; I will leave the door open ; thou knowest the side of the bed on which I sleep ; thou wilt come there ; should I be asleep , thou hast but to touch me , and I shall awake , and give thee solace of thy long-pent desire . In earnest whereof I will even give thee a kiss . '' So saying , she threw her arms about his neck , and lovingly kissed him , as Anichino her . Their colloquy thus ended , Anichino betook him elsewhere about some matters which he had to attend to , looking forward to midnight with boundless exultation .