noon
He held them carefully up to the light , and asked his daughter : `` If I learn from Polybius , to whom I am now going , that they have already caught Alexander , should I venture now , do you think , to offer a couple of choice gems to Titianus , the prefect , to set him free again ? He knows what is good , and the captain of the watch is his subordinate . '' But Melissa besought him to give up the idea of seeking out Alexander in his hiding-place ; for Heron , the gem-cutter , was known to every one , and if a man-at-arms should see him he would certainly follow him . As regarded the prefect , he would not apprehend any one this day , for , as her father knew , Caesar was to arrive at Alexandria at noon , and Titianus must be on the spot to meet him with all his train . `` But if you want to be out of doors and doing , '' she added , `` go to see Philip . Bring him to reason , and discuss with him what is to be done . '' She spoke with firm decision , and Heron looked with amazement at the giver of this counsel .