noon
Yet it was not this which suddenly bowed his head and loudly admonished him that he had again behaved like a reckless fool . Cowardice was his least fault . He did not fear what might befall him in battle . Whether he would be barred out from the lists was the terrible question which darkened the bright morning already verging towards noon . He had charged Els with perfidy in the presence of others , and thereby exposed her , the plighted bride of a knight , to the utmost scorn . And besides -- fool that he was ! -- his brothers had again attacked a train of waggons on the highway and would soon be called to account as robbers .