Monday at noon
Moreover , I think that there was another reason for the change , since the light of dawning happiness shone in her deep eyes . The day , as I have said , was Saturday , and on the Monday she would come of age and be free to dispose of herself in marriage , for on that day lapsed the promise which we had given to her father . But , alas ! by a cursed perversity of fate , on this very Monday at noon the Commandant Retief had arranged to ride into Zululand on his second visit to Dingaan , and with Retief I was in honour bound to go . `` Marie , '' I said , `` will not your father soften towards us and let us be married to-morrow , so that we may have a few hours together before we part ? '' `` I do not know , my dear , '' she answered , blushing , `` since about this matter he is very strange and obstinate . Do you know that all the time you were absent he never mentioned your name , and if anyone else spoke it he would get up and go away ! ''