noon
_ `` Allah-il-Allah ! '' _ he cried , slowly backing the charger out of range . The Count repeated the challenge through his trumpet , and sat upon the stone again ; but no other antagonist showing himself , he at length descended from the heap . In his tent Mahommed examined the bolt ; and finding the head was of lead , he cut it open , and extracted a scrip inscribed thus : `` To-day at noon a procession of women will appear on the walls . You may know it by the white banner a monk will bear , with a picture of the Madonna painted on it . _ The Princess Irene marches next after the banner . _ '' Mahommed asked for the time .