About midnight
`` Thou canst not admit me , '' said Vinicius , `` but let me stand here and look at those who are led forth . '' `` My order does not forbid that , '' said Scevinus . Vinicius stood before the gate and waited . About midnight the prison gate was opened widely , and whole ranks of prisoners appeared , -- men , women , and children , surrounded by armed pretorians . The night was very bright ; hence it was possible to distinguish not only the forms , but the faces of the unfortunates . They went two abreast , in a long , gloomy train , amid stillness broken only by the clatter of weapons . So many were led out that all the dungeons must be empty , as it seemed .