nearly noon
Now she was to be the stronger , and teach her to exercise patience . She thought she had gained the right to do so . Whilst Eva was still explaining her plan to Frau Gertrude , she herself perceived that she had taken no account of time . It was nearly noon , and if she ordered a sedan-chair to convey her to the city and back again to Schweinau , it would be too late to approach the Emperor as a petitioner . She could fulfil her design only by riding ; but the warder 's wife reminded her that it would be contrary to custom -- nay , scarcely possible -- to appear before the Emperor , or even his sister , in a riding habit . But the young girl speedily found a way to fulfil her ardent wish to aid . On her swift palfrey , which her uncle had sent to Schweinau long before that she might refresh herself , after her arduous duties , by a ride , she would go to the city , stop at her own home , and have her new expensive mourning clothes taken to the castle .