midnight
Petronius was waiting for him in the atrium . `` I have been on the Palatine , '' said he . `` I showed myself there purposely , and even sat down at dice . There is a feast at the house of Vinicius this evening ; I promised to go , but only after midnight , saying that I must sleep before that hour . In fact I shall be there , and it would be well wert thou to go also . '' `` Are there no tidings from Niger or Nazarius ? '' inquired Vinicius .