midnight
Grant me leave of absence to-night . '' On the same day , almost at the same hour , Johannes , in Rome , asked Belisarius for leave of absence for that night . Belisarius refused to grant it . `` It is no time for midnight pleasures , '' said he . `` It will be small pleasure to spy amongst damp old walls and Gothic lances for a fox who is ten times slyer than either of us . '' `` What do you think of doing ? '' asked Belisarius , becoming attentive .