noon
it was so wholly incompatible with even the very lowest principles of chivalry -LRB- except when the unfortunate victim was of too low a rank to be removed by any other means -RRB- , that when they recalled the gallantry , the frankness of speech and deed , the careless buoyancy , the quickly subdued passion , and easily accorded forgiveness of injury , which had ever before characterized young Stanley , they could not believe his guilt : but then came the recollection of the startling proofs against him , and such belief was almost involuntarily suspended . There was not a movement in that immense concourse of human beings , not a word spoken one to the other , not a murmur even of impatience for the appearance of the King . All was so still , so mute , that , had it not been for the varied play of countenances , any stranger suddenly placed within the circle might have imagined himself in an assemblage of statues . Precisely at noon , the folding-doors at the upper end of the hall were thrown widely but noiselessly back , and King Ferdinand , attended by a few pages and gentlemen , slowly entered , and taking his seat , gazed a full minute , inquiringly and penetratingly around him , and then resting his head on his hand , remained plunged in earnest meditation some moments before he spoke . It was a strange sight -- the noiseless , yet universal rising of the assemblage in honor to their Sovereign , changing their position as by one simultaneous movement . Many an eye turned towards him to read on his countenance the prisoner 's doom ; but its calm , almost stern expression , baffled the most penetrating gaze . Some minutes passed ere Ferdinand , rousing himself from his abstraction , waved his hand , and every seat was instantaneously resumed , and so profound was the silence , that every syllable the Monarch spoke , though his voice was not raised one note above his usual pitch , was heard by every member of those immense crowds , as individually addressing each .