midnight
The whole night through , not a soul must stir , and cellars and store-houses were to be kept locked . At evening , the students sang the Maiden 's song before the windows of the bride 's room , and then all the lights in the castle went out . There was as deep a quiet as if no one were awake ; only the cracking of the ice on the Waag sounded on the still night . When the great castle clock struck midnight , Magdalene arose , put on her gown , fastened to her girdle the little bag with its relics , and slipped noiselessly down the stairway to the little gate in the rear that led to the bear den . She looked about her , but the bears were not to be seen . After Candlemas , the bears begin their winter sleep , when the weather outside is raw . The bears did not cross her path .