midnight
His right hand went occasionally to his sword , as if to assure himself that at least this companion was faithful to him , for he now trusted to it alone , as the important key by which he might open the door that would lead from darkness to light . The travellers had long since reached the wood ; the path became steeper , and the horse with difficulty ascended the hill with his rider , who was , however , unconscious of all surrounding objects . The night air blew cool , and played with the flowing locks of the young man , -- he felt not its effects ; the moon rose and lighted up the road , which ascended amidst huge masses of rock and tall oaks , under which he passed , -- he noticed them not ; time flowed on unobserved by him ; hour followed hour in rapid succession , unheeded by his troubled mind . It was past midnight when they arrived at the summit of the highest hill , and having reached the skirts of the wood , they beheld the castle of Lichtenstein before them , situated upon an insulated perpendicular rock , rising as if by magic from the depths of darkness , and separated by a broad chasm from the surrounding country . Its white walls , its indented rocks , glimmered in the moonlight ; it seemed as if the castle slumbered in the profound tranquillity of solitude , cut off from the rest of the world . Albert cast a troubled glance towards it , and sprang from his horse , which he fastened to a tree , and sat down on a stone covered with moss directly opposite the castle . The guide stood waiting for further orders , and asked several times in vain , whether his services were required any longer .