midnight
Herod , a garland of red roses round his head , sat between the two women . He drank freely of the wine , and so hurriedly that the liquid dripped from his long , thin beard . Was he afraid of the last course ? It appeared at midnight . It was covered with a white cloth , and only the beautifully-chased edge of the charger was visible . Herod shuddered and signed that the dish should be placed before the young woman who sat on his left . She hastily pulled off the cloth , and behold !