midnight
No more than Hellas had his land a paltry local unity . Wherever the English flag was planted anew , wherever men did their duty faithfully and without hope of little reward -- there was the fatherland of the true patriot . The time was passing , and still the world was quiet . The hour must be close on midnight , and still there was no sign of men . For the first time he dared to hope for success . Before , an hour 's delay was all that he had sought . To give the north time for a little preparation , to make defence possible , had been his aim ; now with the delay he seemed to see a chance for victory .