midnight
Scarcely had he pronounced this name , than a slave appeared , passed before the cage , and said , `` Oh , you poor knave , how I pity you ! '' As Jussuf heard these words , he cried out joyfully , `` That is my native language ! Oh , pity an unfortunate , and tell me why I am so maltreated ! '' `` I dare not now , '' answered the slave : `` wait till midnight , then I will come and speak to you . I pity you exceedingly : at the first glance I recognized you as a countryman , and wished extremely to lighten your fate . '' With these words he disappeared through another door in the palace . The thought that he had found a man with whom he could converse on his misfortune , and who felt a sympathy for him , consoled Jussuf : all idea of killing himself was quite forgotten ; on the contrary , he saw himself again free to pursue his journey .