noon
murmured the Chasseur d'Afrique , in his chestnut beard . Cigarette was watching him with all the keenness of her falcon eyes ; `` he had gambled away a good deal too , '' she thought . `` It is always the same old story with them . '' `` Your cigars are good , mon lion , '' she said impatiently , as she sprang up ; her lithe , elastic figure in the bright vivandiere uniform standing out in full relief against the pearly gray of the ruined pillars , the vivid green of the rank vegetation , and the intense light of the noon . `` Your cigars are good , but it is more than your company is ! If you had been as dull as this last night , I would not have danced a single turn with you in the cancan ! '' And with a bound to which indignation lent wings like a swallow 's , the Friend of the Flag , insulted and amazed at the apathy with which her advances to friendship had been received , dashed off at her topmost speed , singing all the louder out of bravado .