noon
`` Has he ever written to you before ? '' `` You hold his first letter to me in your hand ! '' `` How was this letter delivered , by what means did it reach you ? '' Her face one mass of crimson , trembling from head to foot , Zuleika told the whole story of her adventure at noon that day . How she had strayed from her companions without any definite intention ; how she had seated herself within the screening branches of the elm to meditate ; how she had heard the singular noise in the chestnut tree , and , finally , how the letter , fastened to a stone , had come fluttering over the wall and fallen at her feet . The nuns glanced at each other , horrified and amazed at the audacity of the young Italian . `` Zuleika , '' said Sister Agatha , `` I told you your punishment should be as light as possible .