midnight
exclaimed Julia , who had devoured every word he uttered , with insatiable longing and avidity . `` Surely , '' replied the boy . `` I received that scroll from his own hands -- my orders from his own lips -- ' spare not an instant , ' he said , ' Jason ; tarry not , though you kill your steed . If you would have me live , let Julia see this letter before midnight . ' It lacks as yet , four hours of midnight . Doth it not , noble Julia ? '' `` Five , I think .