midday
`` The good doctor talked of probation , work , good conduct ! Sly as he is I shall make him tell me the truth . '' The three neighbours parted in the street in front of their respective homes , and Savinien put a little courting into his eyes as he gave Ursula a parting glance . Madame de Portenduere let her son sleep till midday ; but the doctor and Ursula , in spite of their fatiguing journey , went to high mass . Savinien 's release and his return in company with the doctor had explained the reason of the latter 's absence to the newsmongers of the town and to the heirs , who were once more assembled in conventicle on the square , just as they were two weeks earlier when the doctor attended his first mass . To the great astonishment of all the groups , Madame de Portenduere , on leaving the church , stopped old Minoret , who offered her his arm and took her home . The old lady asked him to dinner that evening , also asking his niece and assuring him that the abbe would be the only other guest .