noon
For , _ Dei gratia _ , I am the overlord of these parts , Graciosa -- a neglected prince who wondered over the frequent absences of his chief counselor and secretly set spies upon him . Eglamore here will attest as much . Or if you can not believe poor Eglamore any longer , I shall have other witnesses within the half-hour . Oh , yes , they are to meet me here at noon -- some twenty crop-haired stalwart cut-throats . They will come riding upon beautiful broad-chested horses covered with red velvet trappings that are hung with little silver bells which jingle delightfully . They will come very soon , and then we will ride back to court . '' Duke Alessandro touched his big painted mouth with his forefinger as if in fantastic mimicry of a man imparting a confidence .