noon
It was a French detachment . The captain immediately asked for the mayor of the district and remained at the mill after having talked with Pere Merlier . The sun rose gaily that morning . It would be hot at noon . Over the wood floated a golden brightness , while in the distance white vapors arose from the meadows . The neat and pretty village awoke amid the fresh air , and the country , with its river and its springs , had the moist sweetness of a bouquet . But that beautiful day caused nobody to smile .