An hour after midnight
Safe ? -- from the Greeks , that is to say , if they persistently searched for him . Safe , until a messenger could reach Totila , and let him know that Veranilda was rescued . An hour after midnight , one of the mules ' traces broke . In the silence of the stoppage , whilst the driver was mending the harness as best he could , Marcian alighted , stepped to the side of the vehicle , laid a hand on the curtain which concealed those within , and spoke in a subdued voice . ` Is all well with you , lady ? ' ` As well , ' came the answer , ` as it can be with one who dreads her unknown fate . '