midnight
`` I saw the murderers , '' answered Klea , `` and I was overwhelmed with horror of them and of their schemes , and of all that had to do with them ; I would not destroy Irene 's happiness , and I loved you even more deeply than I hated you ; and then -- but let us not speak of it . '' `` Nay-tell me all . '' `` Then there was a moment -- '' `` Well , Klea ? '' `` Then -- in these last hours , while we have been sitting hand in hand by the body of poor Serapion , and hardly speaking , I have felt it all over again -- then the midnight hymn of the priests fell upon my heart , and as I lifted up my soul in prayer at their pious chant I felt as if all my inmost heart had been frozen and hardened , and was reviving again to new life and tenderness and warmth . I could not help thinking of all that is good and right , and I made up my mind to sacrifice myself for you and for Irene 's happiness far more quickly and easily than I could give it up afterwards . My father was one of the followers of Zeno -- '' `` And you , '' interrupted Publius , `` thought you were acting in accordance with the doctrine of the Stoa . I also am familiar with it , but I do not know the man who is so virtuous and wise that he can live and act , as that teaching prescribes , in the heat of the struggle of life , or who is the living representative in flesh and blood of the whole code of ethics , not sinning against one of its laws and embodying it in himself .