noon
` Tell me ; whisper it to me ; it is a name not to be lightly mentioned . ' Cypros advanced , and bending her head , breathed a word in the ear of the lady , who instantly , blushing deeply , murmured with a faint smile , ` Yes . ' ` It is he , then , ' said Cypros , ` who is one of us . ' _ A Royal Audience _ OUR travellers were speculating , not very sanguinely , on the possible resources which Gindarics might supply for the amusement of a week , when , to their great relief , they were informed by Keferinis , that the Queen had fixed noon , on this the day after their arrival , to receive them . And accordingly at that time some attendants , not accompanying , however , the chief minister , waited on Tancred and Fakredeen , and announced that they were commanded to usher them to the royal presence . Quitting their apartments , they mounted a flight of steps , which led to the wooden gallery , along which they pursued their course . At its termination were two sentries with their lances .