midnight
On opening it I discovered that it was an invitation for me to appear that night at twelve o'clock precisely on the bridge called Ponte Vecchio . I conjectured a long time who it could possibly be that invited me thither , but , not knowing a soul in Florence , I thought some one wished , perhaps , to take me secretly to some sick person , which was not uncommon , and I therefore determined to go . However , I took the precaution to buckle on the sword my father had given me . When it was near midnight I set out on my way , and soon arrived at the Ponte Vecchio . I found the bridge forsaken and lonely , and determined to await the person who had appointed to meet me . It was a cold night , the moon shone brightly , and I looked down on the waves of the Arno , glistening in the moonlight . The church clocks now struck the midnight hour , I looked up and saw before me a tall man , enveloped in a red cloak , a corner of which he had drawn over his face .