noon
For to his brave soul a gentleman so stoical as to laugh under such parlous circumstances was very properly a gentleman to be admired . It was close upon ten o'clock as we rode into the yard of the imposing Hotel de la Couronne at Grenade . Castelroux engaged a private room on the first floor -- a handsome chamber overlooking the courtyard -- and in answer to the inquiries that I made I was informed by the landlord that Monsieur de Marsac was not yet arrived . `` My assignation was ` before noon , ' Monsieur de Castelroux , '' said I. `` With your permission , I would wait until noon . '' He made no difficulty . Two hours were of no account . We had all risen very early , and he was , himself , he said , entitled to some rest .