midnight
True is the adage of the poet , that `` the course of true love never did run smooth ; '' and , in the father of the maiden , they found that a stumbling-block lay in the path of their happiness , for he was of an avaricious disposition , and they knew that he valued gold more than nobility of blood . Their fears grew more and more , as Isabelle , in her private conversations , endeavoured to sound her father on this point ; and although the suspicions of affection are often more apparent than real , in this they were not mistaken ; for , without consulting his child -- and as if her soul had been in his hand -- he promised her in marriage to a rich old miser , ay , twice as rich , and nearly as old as himself . Isabelle knew not what to do ; for , on being informed by her father of the fate he had destined for her , her heart forsook her , and her spirit was bowed to the dust . Nowhere could she rest , like the Thracian bird that knoweth not to fold its wings in slumber -- a cloud had fallen for her over the fair face of nature -- and , instead of retiring to her couch , she wandered about weeping , under the midnight stars , on the terrace on the house-top -- wailing over her hapless fate , and calling on death to come and take her from her sorrows . At morning she went forth alone into the garden ; but neither could the golden glow of the orange-trees , nor the perfumes of the rosiers , nor the delicate fragrance of the clustering henna and jasmine , delight her ; so she wearied for the hour of noon , having privately sent to Demetrius , inviting him to meet her by the fountain of the pillars at that time . Poor Demetrius had , for some time , observed a settled sorrow in the conduct and countenance of his beautiful Isabelle -- he felt that some melancholy revelation was to be made to him ; and , all eagerness , he came at the appointed hour . He passed along the winding walks , unheeding of the tulips streaked like the ruddy evening clouds -- of the flower betrothed to the nightingale -- of the geranium blazing in scarlet beauty , -- till , on approaching the place of promise , he caught a glance of the maid he loved -- and , lo !