noon
_ '' Next to the residence of good Dr. Mossy towered the narrow , red-brick-front mansion of young Madame Délicieuse , firm friend at once and always of those two antipodes , General Villivicencio and Dr. Mossy . Its dark , covered carriage-way was ever rumbling , and , with nightfall , its drawing-rooms always sent forth a luxurious light from the lace-curtained windows of the second-story balconies . It was one of the sights of the Rue Royale to see by night its tall , narrow outline reaching high up toward the stars , with all its windows aglow . The Madame had had some tastes of human experience ; had been betrothed at sixteen -LRB- to a man she did not love , `` being at that time a fool , '' as she said -RRB- ; one summer day at noon had been a bride , and at sundown -- a widow . Accidental discharge of the tipsy bridegroom 's own pistol . Pass it by ! It left but one lasting effect on her , a special detestation of quarrels and weapons .