midnight
She shuddered at the recollection , which confirmed her fears , and determined not to meet him on the terrace . Soon after , she was inclined to consider these suspicions as the extravagant exaggerations of a timid and harassed mind , and could not believe Montoni liable to such preposterous depravity as that of destroying , from one motive , his wife and her niece . She blamed herself for suffering her romantic imagination to carry her so far beyond the bounds of probability , and determined to endeavour to check its rapid flights , lest they should sometimes extend into madness . Still , however , she shrunk from the thought of meeting Barnardine , on the terrace , at midnight ; and still the wish to be relieved from this terrible suspense , concerning her aunt , to see her , and to sooth her sufferings , made her hesitate what to do . `` Yet how is it possible , Annette , I can pass to the terrace at that hour ? '' said she , recollecting herself , `` the sentinels will stop me , and Signor Montoni will hear of the affair . '' `` O ma'amselle !