an hour before noon
He saw the strong emotion under which I laboured , and which scarcely suffered me to answer him with patience ; and he looked at me curiously , but not unkindly . ` The sooner you are off , the better then , ' he said , nodding . ` I gathered as much . The man Maignan will have his fellows at the south gate an hour before noon , I understand . Francois has two lackeys , and he is wild to go . With yourself and the lad there you will muster nine swords . I will lend you two .