noon
Though formerly at Rome she had been accustomed to see Titianus every day at her house , this was their first meeting in Alexandria ; for the previous day , exhausted by the sufferings of her sea-voyage , she had been carried in a closed litter to the Caesareum , and this morning she had declined to receive his visit , as her whole time was given up to her physicians , bathing-women , and coiffeurs . `` How can you survive in this country ? '' she said in a low but harsh voice , which always made the hearer feel that it was that of a dull , fractious , childless woman . `` At noon the sun burns you up , and in the evening it is so cold -- so intolerably cold ! ' As she spoke she drew her robe closer round her , but Titianus , pointing to the stoves in the middle of the hall , said : `` I hoped we had succeeded in cutting the bowstrings of the Egyptian winter , and it is but a feeble weapon . '' `` Still young , still imaginative , still a poet ! '' said the Empress wearily .