noon
She dared not go to the Hiltners , from fear of a fresh misunderstanding , and it would be a long time ere Wolf 's health would permit him to be excited by such matters . So she was forced to content herself with censuring Erasmus 's conduct , through Frau Lerch , in the harshest manner , and threatening to appeal to his foster-parents and , in the worst extremity , to the magistrate , to rid herself of his importunities . Nearly two thirds of May had passed when the Emperor found himself prevented by a second attack of gout from visiting her . But Barbara 's heart drew her toward him so strongly that during the usual noon ride she hit upon an idea , for whose execution she immediately made preparations by secretly entreating young Count Tassis to lend her one of his suits of clothes . The merry page , a handsome boy of sixteen , who had already crossed rapiers with one of his companions for her sake , was about her height , and delighted to share a secret with her . His most expensive costume , with everything belonging to it , was placed in her room at twilight , and when night closed in , disguised as a page , she entered the litter and was carried to the Golden Cross , where Adrian received her and conducted her to his royal master . The elderly man thought he had never seen her look so charming as in the yellow velvet doublet with ash-gray facings , the gray silk hose , and the yellow and gray cap resting on her glittering golden hair .