night, about midnight
This holy hermit was during all his life as lewd and mischievous as an old ape , but surpassed all ordinary mortals in cunning . And this is what he did . He sought amongst all the women and pretty girls the one most worthy to be loved and desired , and resolved that it was the daughter of a poor , simple woman , -- a widow who was very devout and charitable -- and made up his mind that , if he could have his way , she should become his prey . One night , about midnight , when the weather was very rough and stormy , he descended from the mountain and came to the village , and passing by bye-roads and footpaths , came to where the mother and daughter lived , without being seen or heard . He knew the house , which was not large , and to which he had often been for devotional purposes . He bored a hole in a part of the wall not exposed , and near the spot where stood the bed of the simple widow woman , and passing a long , hollow stick , with which he was provided , and without awaking the widow , placed it near her ear , and said in a low voiced three times , `` Hear my voice , woman of God . I am an angel of the Creator , and have been sent to you to announce that for your many good deeds which you have performed there shall issue from your seed , that is your daughter , one who shall unite , reform , and restore his bride the Church .