noon
Therefore I should be thankful for the assurance you would kindly give on that subject . '' M. d'Asterac , with a movement which seemed to remove an invisible object , gave M. Jerome Coignard the wished-for assurance ; for myself , curious as I was of all I saw , I did not wish for anything better than to enter into a new life . At his master 's call , the old servant who had opened the door to us appeared in the study . `` Gentlemen , '' said our host , `` I give you your liberty till dinner at noon . Meanwhile I should be very much obliged to you for ascending to the rooms I have had prepared for you , and let me know that there is nothing wanting for your comfort . Criton will conduct you . '' Having assured himself that we were following him , silent Criton went out and began to ascend the stairs .