noon
I have no wish to be hasty ; but as for disarranging the whole economy of the house , and getting up an extemporaneous meal for me , I can not think of it . Mr. Beckendorff may live as he likes , and if I stay here I am contented to live as he does . I do not wish him to change his habits for me , and I shall take care that , after today , there will be no necessity for his doing so . However , absolute hunger can make no compliments ; and therefore I will thank you , my good madam , to let me and my friend have the remains of that cold game , if they be still in existence , on which we lunched , or , as you term it , took our noon meal , this morning ; and which , if it were your own cooking , Mrs. Clara , I assure you , as I observed to my friend at the time , did you infinite credit . '' The Prince , although his gentlemanlike feelings had , in spite of his hunger , dictated a deprecation of Mrs. Clara 's making a dinner merely for himself , still thought that a seasonable and deserved compliment to the lady might assist in bringing about a result which , notwithstanding his politeness , he much desired ; and that was the production of another specimen of her culinary accomplishments . Having behaved , as he considered , with moderation and dignified civility , he was , it must be confessed , rather astounded when Mrs. Clara , duly acknowledging his compliment by her curtsey , was sorry to inform him that she dared give no refreshment in this house without Mr. Beckendorff 's special order . `` Special order !