noon
` By appointment I think , sir ? ' he said , bowing lower than the others . ` Yes , ' I replied sharply , beginning to grow warm , ` by appointment at noon . ' ` M. de Marsac , ' he announced in a sing-song tone to those behind him , ` to see the King of Navarre by appointment at noon . ' And with a second bow -- while I grew scarlet with mortification he too wheeled gravely round and returned to the fireplace . I saw another preparing to advance , but he came too late . Whether my face of anger and bewilderment was too much for them , or some among them lacked patience to see the end , a sudden uncontrollable shout of laughter , in which all the room joined , cut short the farce .