noon
She had sent for the Syrian , but he , too , had gone to rest at a late hour and kept her waiting a long time . The reception which the impatient girl bestowed was therefore by no means cordial , but her manner soon grew more friendly . First Alexas boasted of having induced the Queen to commit Barine 's fate to him . If he should try her at noon and find her guilty , there was nothing to prevent him from compelling her to drink the poisoned cup or having her strangled before evening . But the matter would be dangerous , because the singer 's friends were numerous and by no means powerless . Yet , in the depths of her heart , Cleopatra desired nothing more ardently than to rid herself of her dangerous rival . But he knew the great ones of the earth .