midnight
For a moment I was alarmed . Was this midnight reverie mere Yankee enterprise , and was he simply a desperate brother of the brush who had posted himself here to extort an `` order '' from a sauntering tourist ? But I was not called to defend myself . A great brazen note broke suddenly from the far-off summit of the bell-tower above us , and sounded the first stroke of midnight . My companion started , apologised for detaining me , and prepared to retire . But he seemed to offer so lively a promise of further entertainment that I was indisposed to part with him , and suggested that we should stroll homeward together . He cordially assented ; so we turned out of the Piazza , passed down before the statued arcade of the Uffizi , and came out upon the Arno .