noon
I was glad to find that , in spite of Jack 's speechifying , the younger part of the population was still true to me , and I did not doubt that I should still have got the majority of votes in the Assembly . A rumour was spread abroad that the twelve months of Crasweller 's period of probation were to be devoted to discussing the question , and I was told that my theory as to the Fixed Period would not in truth have been carried out merely because Mr Crasweller had changed his residence from Little Christchurch to the college . I had ordered an open barouche to be prepared for the occasion , and had got a pair of splendid horses fit for a triumphal march . With these I intended to call at Little Christchurch at noon , and to accompany Mr Crasweller up to the college , sitting on his left hand . On all other occasions , the President of the Republic sat in his carriage on the right side , and I had ever stood up for the dignities of my position . But this occasion was to be an exception to all rule . On the evening before , as I was sitting in my library at home mournfully thinking of the occasion , telling myself that after all I could not devote my friend to what some might think a premature death , the door was opened , and Eva Crasweller was announced .