midnight
My old friend Power was , I learned , quartered at Courtrai ; and as I was perfectly at liberty to dispose of my movements at present , I resolved to visit him there . It was a beautiful evening on the 12th of June . I had been inquiring concerning post-horses for my journey , and was returning slowly through the park . The hour was late -- near midnight -- but a pale moonlight , a calm , unruffled air , and stronger inducements still , the song of the nightingales that abound in this place , prevailed on many of the loungers to prolong their stay ; and so from many a shady walk and tangled arbor , the clank of a sabre would strike upon the ear , or the low , soft voice of woman would mingle her dulcet sound with the deep tones of her companion . I wandered on , thoughtful and alone ; my mind pre-occupied so completely with the mighty events passing before me , I totally forgot my own humble career , and the circumstances of my fortune . As I turned into an alley which leads from the Great Walk towards the Palace of the Prince of Orange , I found my path obstructed by three persons who were walking slowly along in front of me . I was , as I have mentioned , deeply absorbed in thought , so that I found myself close behind them before I was aware of their presence .