midnight
When I told her yesterday that our departure was so near , her heavenly eyes seemed to me suffused with tears . I must also have looked sorrowful , for she said to me , in a consoling tone , ` Oh , pious , childlike warrior ! one may trust you as one trusts an angel . ' After midnight , before the morning dawn breaks for your departure , I give you leave to take farewell of me in this very spot . If you could , however , find a true and discreet comrade to watch the entrance from the street , it would be well , for many a soldier may be passing at that hour through the city on his way from some farewell carouse . Providence has now sent me such a comrade , and at one o'clock I shall go joyfully to the lovely maiden . '' `` I only wish the service on which you require me were more rich in danger , '' rejoined Fadrique , `` so that I might better prove to you that I am yours with life and limb .