midnight
Indeed , but that she had been intent upon her own manuscript , the emotions of the foreign soldier must have more early attracted her attention . In the beginning of her recitation , he had retained the same attitude which he had at first assumed , stiff and rigid as a sentinel upon duty , and apparently remembering nothing save that he was performing that duty in presence of the imperial court . As the narrative advanced , however , he appeared to take more interest in what was read . The anxious fears expressed by the various leaders in the midnight council , he listened to with a smile of suppressed contempt , and he almost laughed at the praises bestowed upon the leader of his own corps , Achilles Tatius . Nor did , even the name of the Emperor , though listened to respectfully , gain that applause for which his daughter fought so hard , and used so much exaggeration . Hitherto the Varangian 's countenance indicated very slightly any internal emotions ; but they appeared to take a deeper hold on his mind as she came to the description of the halt after the main army had cleared the pass ; the unexpected advance of the Arabs ; the retreat of the column which escorted the Emperor ; and the account of the distant engagement . He lost , on hearing the narration of these events , the rigid and constrained look of a soldier , who listened to the history of his Emperor with the same feelings with which he would have mounted guard at his palace .