midnight
When they were not thus engaged , their chief had usually his own fortress , in which , or in its neighbourhood , they enjoyed an irksome rest ; and , though their wants were , at one time , partly supplied from the property of the inhabitants , the lavish distribution of their plunder at others , prevented them from being obnoxious ; and the peasants of such districts gradually shared the character of their warlike visitors . The neighbouring governments sometimes professed , but seldom endeavoured , to suppress these military communities ; both because it was difficult to do so , and because a disguised protection of them ensured , for the service of their wars , a body of men , who could not otherwise be so cheaply maintained , or so perfectly qualified . The commanders sometimes even relied so far upon this policy of the several powers , as to frequent their capitals ; and Montoni , having met them in the gaming parties of Venice and Padua , conceived a desire to emulate their characters , before his ruined fortunes tempted him to adopt their practices . It was for the arrangement of his present plan of life , that the midnight councils were held at his mansion in Venice , and at which Orsino and some other members of the present community then assisted with suggestions , which they had since executed with the wreck of their fortunes . On the return of night , Emily resumed her station at the casement . There was now a moon ; and , as it rose over the tufted woods , its yellow light served to show the lonely terrace and the surrounding objects , more distinctly , than the twilight of the stars had done , and promised Emily to assist her observations , should the mysterious form return . On this subject , she again wavered in conjecture , and hesitated whether to speak to the figure , to which a strong and almost irresistible interest urged her ; but terror , at intervals , made her reluctant to do so .