noon
At this the deaconess seemed somewhat dismayed , and poured out endless questions in a low voice . He , however , cast all the blame on the philosopher , whom his master had got hold of the day before . Then , as the woman desired more particular information , he briefly told her the story . The fair Agatha , he said , after being invited by him , at noon , in the name of Bishop Demetrius , to a meeting that evening , had reached the ferryhouse at about sunset . She had been told that many things of immediate importance were to be announced to the maidens of the Christian congregation ; more especially , a discussion was to be held as to the order issued by the prefect for their taking part in a procession in Caesar 's honor when he should quit Alexandria . Old Dorothea had met the girl at the ferry-house , and had brought her hither . The woman who had attended her across the lake was certainly none of the wisest , for Dorothea had easily persuaded her to remain in her house during the meeting .