noon
He went up the wide stairs unceremoniously to the suite of formal rooms along the street , where , to his amazement , he found the Escobar family seated in the sombreness of drawn curtains , and all of them with their faces marked with tears . Surprised by his abrupt appearance they showed no emotion other than a dull indifference . Then Andrés rose and put his hand on Charles ' shoulder , speaking in a level grave voice : `` My dear Abbott , Vincente , our brother , has made the last sacrifice possible to men . He died at noon , sitting in his chair , as a result of the fever . '' This was tragic , but , with a deeper knowledge of the dilemma facing them , Charles was actually impatient . `` What , '' he demanded , `` are you going to do with the body ? '' `` It is placed in dignity on a couch , and we have sent to Matanzas for a priest we can trust .