noon
He was disconsolate because of the King 's probable absence till late in the afternoon . `` What a pity his Majesty chose to-day for a visit to the artillery camp ! '' he cried . `` But I shall send a courier ; he can return by noon . How is it nothing was said as to your Highnesses ' visit . I dined with the King last night -- '' `` We wished to surprise his Majesty , '' explained Prince Michael . `` You know how outspoken he is , and how easily these things get into the newspaper ; so we started from Paris without a word to a soul .