noon
The pertinacity of Sarah , and her obduracy , alarmed the notary . This mother had not shown for a moment any feeling in speaking of her child ; she had only seemed to consider her death as the loss of a means of action . Such dispositions are implacable in their objects , and in their vengeance . Wishing to give himself time to seek some means to avoid the dangerous blow , Ferrand said coldly to Sarah , `` You have asked until noon to-morrow . It is I , madame , who give you until the next day to renounce a project , of which you know not the gravity . If , meanwhile , I do not receive a letter from you in which you announce that you have abandoned this foolish and criminal undertaking , you will learn to your cost that justice knows how to protect honest people who refuse to lend themselves to culpable acts . '' `` That is to say , sir , that you demand one day more to reflect on my proposition ?