midnight
A solitary party passed me now and then ; the buzz of distant voices succeeded to the gay laughter and merry tones of the passing groups , and at length my own footsteps alone awoke the echoes along the deserted pathway . I stopped every now and then to gaze upon the tranquil river , whose eddies were circling in the pale silver of the moonlight . I listened with attentive ear as the night breeze wafted to me the far-off sounds of a guitar , and the deep tones of some lover 's serenade ; while again the tender warbling of the nightingale came borne across the stream on a wind rich with the odor of the orange-tree . As thus I lingered on my way the time stole on , and it was near midnight ere I had roused myself from the revery surrounding objects had thrown about me . I stopped suddenly , and for some minutes I struggled with myself to discover if I was really awake . As I walked along , lost in my reflections , I had entered a little garden beside the river . Fragrant plants and lovely flowers bloomed on every side ; the orange , the camelia , the cactus , and the rich laurel of Portugal were blending their green and golden hues around me , while the very air was filled with delicious music .