midnight
Only a few persons , however , perceived this ; for , though joyous anticipation or anxious fears urged many thither , who would venture upon the quay on such a tempestuous night ? Besides , no one would have found admittance to the royal port , which was closed on all sides . Even the mole which , towards the west , served as the string to the bow of land surrounding it , had but a single opening and -- as every one knew -- that was closed by a chain in the same way as the main entrance to the harbour between the Pharos and Alveus Steganus . About two hours before midnight , spite of the increasing fury of the tempest , the singular movement of the lights diminished , but rarely had the hearts of those for whom they burned throbbed so anxiously . These were the dignitaries and court officials who stood nearest to Cleopatra -- about twenty men and a single woman , Iras . Mardion and she had summoned them because the Queen 's letter permitted those to whom she had given authority to offer her a quiet reception . After a long consultation they had not invited the commanders of the little Roman garrison left behind .