midnight
And she sobbed out wailful verses and words , broken and without a meaning ; but Noorna caught her by the arm and swung her , and bade her fetch on the instant a robe of blue , and pile in her chamber robes of amber and saffron and grey , bridal-robes of many-lighted silks , plum - coloured , peach-coloured , of the colour of musk mixed with pale gold , together with bridal ornaments and veils of the bride , and a jewelled circlet for the brow . When this was done , Noorna went with Luloo to her chamber , attended by slave-girls , and arrayed herself in the first dress of blue , and swayed herself before the mirror , and rattled the gold pieces in her hair and on her neck with laughter . And Luloo was bewildered , and forgot her tears to watch the gaiety of her mistress ; and lo ! Noorna , made her women take off one set of ornaments with every dress , and with every dress she put on another set ; and after she had gone the round of the different dresses , she went to the bathroom with Luloo , and at her bidding Luloo entered the bath beside Noorna , , and the twain dipped and shouldered in the blue water , and were as when a single star is by the full moon on a bright midnight pouring lustre about . And Noorna splashed Luloo , and said , ` This night we shall not sleep together , O Luloo , nor lie close , thy bosom on mine . ' Thereat , Luloo wept afresh , and cried , ` Ah , cruel ! and 't is a sweet thought for thee , and thou ` lt have no mind for me , tossing on my hateful lonely couch . '