noon
He would willingly have gone back to the days of the Roman decadence , when the love affairs of the powerful became matters of national adoration . `` What do I care for their gossip '' he once said to Leonora . `` I love you so much that I 'd like to see the whole city worship you in public . I 'd like to snatch you up in my arms , and appear upon the bridge at high noon , before a concourse stupefied by your beauty : ` Am I or am I not your '' _ quefe _ '' ? ' I 'd ask . ` Well , if I am , adore this woman , who is my very soul and without whom I could not live . The affection which you have for me you must have also for her . '