noon
`` Admit him then . '' The boy entered , and with a low reverence advanced towards Marie . She looked up in his face bewildered -- a bewilderment which Isabella perceived changed to a strong expression of mental torture , ere he ceased to speak . `` Ferdinand , King of Arragon and Castile , '' he said , `` sends , with all courtesy , his royal greeting to Donna Marie Henriquez Morales , and forthwith commands her attendance at the solemn trial which is held to-morrow 's noon ; by her evidence to confirm or refute the charge brought against the person of Arthur Stanley , as being and having been the acknowledged enemy of the deceased Don Ferdinand Morales -LRB- God assoilize his soul ! -RRB- and as having uttered words of murderous import in her hearing . Resolved , to the utmost of his power , to do justice to the living as to avenge the dead , his royal highness is compelled thus to demand the testimony of Donna Marie , as she alone can confirm or refute this heavy and most solemn charge . '' There was no answer ; but it seemed as if the messenger required none -- imagining the royal command all sufficient for obedience -- for he bowed respectfully as he concluded , and withdrew .