two hours after noon
I need it sorely , believe me , Paula ; it is as indispensable to me as the breath of life , if I am to succeed in the work I have begun on myself . If you have prevailed on yourself to read through this letter , simply answer ` Yes ' by my messenger , to relieve me from torturing uncertainty . If you do not -- which God forefend for both our sakes , Nilus shall this very day carry to you all that belongs to you . But , if you have read these lines , I will make my appearance to-morrow , at two hours after noon , with Nilus to explain to the others the arrangement of which I have spoken . God be with you and infuse some ruth into your proud and noble soul ! '' Paula drew a deep breath as the hand holding this momentous epistle dropped by her side ; she stood for some time by the window , lost in grave meditation . Then calling Pulcheria , she begged her to tend her patient , too , for a short time .