noon
`` Now , art thou not the veriest rustic to be so entirely ignorant of the world 's doings ? Why , to-day is the solemn execution of the young foreigner whom they believe we have murdered Don Ferdinand Morales -- the saints preserve him ! He is so brave a fellow , they say , that had it not been for this confounded hostellerie I would have made an effort to be present : I love to see how a brave man meets death . It was to have been two hours after day-break this morning , but Juan here tells me it was postponed till noon . The King -- '' He was proceeding , when he was startled by a sharp cry , and Perez , hastily turning , caught the novice as he was in the act of falling from his horse . In an instant , however , he recovered , and exclaiming , in a thrilling tone of excitement -- `` Father Ambrose said life or death hung upon our speed and promptness ; he knew not the short interval allowed us . This young foreigner is innocent -- the real murderer is discovered .