noon
Asad presented him with a small piece of baclâweh . `` At what hour does the Emîr take his pleasure in the garden ? '' Iskender asked at parting from that child of promise ; leaving Asad to suppose he put the question out of caution , to the end that he himself might shun the Mission at that hour . `` Between the fourth and fifth after noon , '' was the reply . `` But avoid the house altogether , if thy life is precious to thee ! The foe , I tell thee , is a seasoned warrior , a drinker of blood from his birth . '' From all that Asad had let fall , two facts shone forth : that the Emîr was mad in love with the Sitt Hilda , and that he was oppressed by his cruel uncle .