midnight
I opened it and found therein an invitation to repair that night , punctually at twelve , to the bridge called the Ponte Vecchio . For some time I reflected upon this , as to who it could be that had thus invited me ; as , however , I knew not a soul in Florence , I thought , as had often happened already , that one wished to lead me privately to some sick person . Accordingly I resolved to go ; nevertheless , as a precautionary measure , I put on the sabre which my father had given me . As it was fast approaching midnight , I set out upon my way , and soon arrived at the Ponte Vecchio ; I found the bridge forsaken and desolate , and resolved to wait until it should appear who had addressed me . It was a cold night ; the moon shone clear as I looked down upon the waters of the Arno , which sparkled in her light . On the church of the city the twelfth hour was sounding , when I looked up , and before me stood a tall man , entirely covered with a red cloak , a corner of which he held before his face . At this sudden apparition I was at first somewhat startled , but I soon recovered myself and said -- `` If you have summoned me hither , tell me , what is your pleasure ? ''