midnight
At the very moment he was most inclined to yield to the allurement , a hand very fair even in the moonless gloaming was laid softly upon his shoulder . The touch thrilled him ; he started , turned -- and she was there . `` I thought you asleep , '' he said , presently . `` Sleep is for old people and little children , and I came out to look at my friends , the stars in the south -- those now holding the curtains of midnight over the Nile . But confess yourself surprised ! '' He took the hand which had fallen from his shoulder , and said , `` Well , was it by an enemy ? '' `` Oh no !