midnight
Thus the Goddess spoke from the cloud of glory , and lo ! she was gone . But the heart of the Wanderer was filled with joy because he knew that the Helen was not lost to him for ever , and he no more feared the death of shame . ***** Now it was midnight , and Pharaoh slept . But Meriamun the Queen slept not . She rose from her bed , she wrapped herself in a dark cloak that hid her face , and taking a lamp in her hand , glided through the empty halls till she came to a secret stair down which she passed . There was a gate at the foot of the stair , and a guard slept by it .