midnight
Puzzled , he looked to the right and left , then out to the shining Fjord , half expecting to see some fisher-maiden rowing along , and singing as she rowed , but there was no sign of any living creature . While he waited , the voice suddenly ceased , and the song was replaced by the sharp grating of a keel on the beach . Turning in the direction of this sound , he perceived a boat being pushed out by invisible hands towards the water 's edge from a rocky cave , that jutted upon the Fjord , and , full of curiosity , he stepped towards the arched entrance , when , -- all suddenly and unexpectedly , -- a girl sprang out from the dark interior , and standing erect in her boat , faced the intruder . A girl of about nineteen , she seemed , taller than most women , -- with a magnificent uncovered mass of hair , the color of the midnight sunshine , tumbled over her shoulders , and flashing against her flushed cheeks and dazzlingly fair skin . Her deep blue eyes had an astonished and certainly indignant expression in them , while he , utterly unprepared for such a vision of loveliness at such a time and in such a place , was for a moment taken aback and at a loss for words . Recovering his habitual self-possession quickly , however , he raised his hat , and , pointing to the boat , which was more than half way out of the cavern , said simply -- `` May I assist you ? '' She was silent , eyeing him with a keen glance which had something in it of disfavor and suspicion .