midnight
He seemed a man of iron ; and few could ride with him , or watch with him , or fight with him . When the sun rose , the great standard of the Holy Roman Empire waved before the imperial tent , and though he had not rested , Conrad knelt beside King Louis at early mass . Far to southward the German tents rose in long lines by the shore of the lake , where Eleanor had displayed her troop on the previous day , and countless little squads of men with mules came and went between the camp and the distant walled city of Nicaea . In the French lines , where the first preparations had been made for marching , men were again unpacking their belongings ; for word had gone round at midnight that the Emperor was safe , and needed no help , and would be in the camp in the morning . Then there was secret rejoicing among the ladies , and those who had no bruise nor scratch from yesterday 's accidents called their tirewomen and spent happy hours , holding up their little silver mirrors to their hair , and holding them down to see the clasp at the throat , and trying some of the silks and embroideries which they had received as gifts from the Greek Emperor . It was almost a miracle that none but Beatrix should have been gravely hurt , but many were a little bruised and much tired , and altogether inclined to ask sympathy of the rest , receiving visits in their tents and discussing the chances of the war and the beauty of Constantinople , until they began to discuss one another , after which the war was not spoken of again on that day . Then came the Queen with her attendants , from her tent in the midst of the ladies ' lines , pitched as far as possible from the King 's ; and leaving outside those who were with her , she went in and sat down by Beatrix 's bedside .