noon
The rest of the time was at the tutor 's disposal , and he could freely devote himself to his hobby -- ancient German history . Thanks to this favorite study , Doctor Fabian had not followed the example of his six predecessors , and run away . Knowing that Altenhof offered him ample opportunities and abundant leisure for historical research , he patiently endured all the discomforts of his lot . He did not think of complaining to-day when Waldemar galloped on ahead of him , promising to await him at the entrance of the town , where he would arrive toward noon . Upon their arrival they found Wanda alone in the drawing-room . Doctor Fabian , although very much embarrassed , went through the introduction passably well ; but , unfortunately , his evident and somewhat comical anxiety to please provoked the young girl to set about teasing him at once . `` And so you are my cousin Waldemar 's tutor ? ''