midnight
Good-night , my beloved ; good-night , Lynar ! '' With a happy smile she reclined upon her couch , and soon slumbered . At this moment the clock in the next chamber struck the twelfth hour . Slowly and solemnly resounded the tones of the striking clocks that announced the midnight . At this same hour a lively movement commenced in the palace of the Princess Elizabeth . Lights were seen glancing from window to window , hurrying shadows were seen coming and going in the rooms , every thing there announced an activity unusual for the hour , and certainly it was a signal good fortune for Elizabeth that Anna had forbidden her husband 's sending a patrol through the streets . One single patrol passing the palace might have frustrated the whole conspiracy !