midnight
In the Caesareum , where the Empress dwelt , the lights were extinguished one after another ; but in the palace of Lochias they grew more numerous and brighter . In festal illuminations of the harbor pitch cressets on the roof , and long rows of lamps that accumulated architectonic features of the noble structure , were always kindled ; but inside it , no blaze so brilliant had ever lighted it within the memory of man . The harbor watchmen at first gazed anxiously up at Lochias , for they feared that a fire must have broken out in the old palace ; they were soon reassured however , by one of the prefect 's lictors , who brought them a command to keep open the harbor gates that night , and every night till the Emperor should have arrived , to all who might wish to proceed from Lochias to the city , or from the city to the peninsula , under the orders of Pontius the architect . And till long past midnight not a quarter of an hour passed in which the people whom the architect had summoned to his aid were not knocking at the harbor gates , which , though not locked were all guarded . The little house belonging to the gate-keeper was also brightly lighted up ; the birds and cats belonging to the old woman whom the prefect and his companions had found slumbering by her wine-jar , were now fast asleep , but the little dogs still flew loudly yelping into the yard each time a new-comer entered by the open gate . `` Come , Aglaia , what will folks think of you ? Thalia , my beauty , behave like a good dog ; come here , Euphrosyne , and do n't be so silly ! ''