midnight
More depends upon this ceremony than you know of , the lives of many hang upon it , our own , perchance , among them , and especially the life of one of whom it does not become me to speak , '' and as though by accident Nam let his eyes rest upon the door of the adjoining cell . Of his auditors Olfan thought that he was alluding to his own life , but Juanna and his daughter knew well that he spoke of that of Leonard , which would be sacrificed did the former persist in her objections to the instant celebration of the marriage . `` You hear his words , Queen , '' said Olfan , `` and there is weight in them . The times are very dangerous , and if our plot is to be carried through , before midnight I must make oath to the captains and the Council of the Elders that you have come back from death to be my wife . '' `` Maybe , '' answered Juanna , catching at a straw in her despair , `` but must I , who shall be set over this people as queen , be married thus in secret ? At the least I will have witnesses . Let some of the captains whom you trust , Olfan , be brought here to see us wed , otherwise the time may come when I shall be held to be no true wife , and there are none to establish my honour by their words . ''