midnight
Could I prevent it , I surely should . But this hellish fire in my veins burns on and on , and is consuming my life . Give me something to drink ; milk at least lessens my pangs in some degree . '' Thus passed hour after hour , and midnight drew near . Count Schwarzenberg 's festival was not yet over , the Electoral family had not yet returned , and silence unbroken reigned throughout the castle . With slow , measured tread went the sentinels to and fro before the palace and through the inner corridors . At times the loud shouts of the populace penetrated in faint echoes even to the castle , and flew like spirit whispers through the broad vestibule fronting the Electoral Prince 's suite of rooms .