midnight
Count Orso says , and marches forth , after receiving the compliment of a choric song in honour of his paternal government . Michiella follows him . Then came the deep suspension of breath . For , as upon the midnight you count bell-note after bell-note of the toiling hour , and know not in the darkness whether there shall be one beyond it , so that you hang over an abysm until Twelve is sounded , audience and actors gazed with equal expectation at the path winding round from the castle , waiting for the voice of the new prima donna . ` Mia madre ! ' It issued tremblingly faint . None could say who was to appear .