noon
`` I , Omar , Prince of Mo , am thy leader in this struggle of my people against oppression and misrule . If they will declare in my favour I will free them . I have spoken . '' `` Thou hast until noon to-morrow to quit this city , '' Goliba said . `` Hasten not thy decision , but what I will show thee secretly ere long will perhaps convince thee of the terrors of the Naya 's reign . I have often counselled the queen to aspire to the virtues of truth , wisdom , justice and moderation , the great ornaments of the Emerald Throne , but my endeavours have been frustrated and the fruit of my labour blasted . '' As the white-bearded sage uttered these words , I noticed that from behind one of the great marble pillars of the colonnade that surrounded the courtyard of Goliba 's fine house a white robe flitted for an instant , disappearing in the fast-falling gloom .