midnight
Her pride returned ; she felt the impossibility of making an overture to Herbert ; she looked upon their daughter as the last victim of his fatal career . How beautiful is night in Venice ! Then music and the moon reign supreme ; the glittering sky reflected in the waters , and every gondola gliding with sweet sounds ! Around on every side are palaces and temples , rising from the waves which they shadow with their solemn forms , their costly fronts rich with the spoils of kingdoms , and softened with the magic of the midnight beam . The whole city too is poured forth for festival . The people lounge on the quays and cluster on the bridges ; the light barks skim along in crowds , just touching the surface of the water , while their bright prows of polished iron gleam in the moonshine , and glitter in the rippling wave . Not a sound that is not graceful : the tinkle of guitars , the sighs of serenaders , and the responsive chorus of gondoliers .