midnight
For the sake of the charioteer , who , after Melissa 's flight , would be certainly cross-examined , Diodoros could make no reply . The carruca rattled off by the way by which it had come ; Diodoros vanished in the darkness , and Melissa clasped her hands over her face . She felt as though this were her last parting from her lover , and the sun would never shine on earth again . It was now near midnight . The slaves had heard the approach of the chariot , and received them as heartily as ever , but in obedience to Heron 's orders they added the most respectful bows to their usual well - meant welcome . Since their master had shown himself to Dido , in the afternoon , with braggart dignity , as a Roman magnate , she had felt as though the age of miracles had come , and nothing was impossible . Splendid visions of future grandeur awaiting the whole family , including herself and Argutis , had not ceased to haunt her ; but as to the empress , something seemed to have gone wrong , for why had the girl wet eyes and so sad a face ?