noon
The nobleman took his leave , and Maria , after visiting her patient and finding her well and bright , sent Adrian and Bessie into the garden outside the city-wall to gather flowers and foliage , which she intended to help them weave into wreaths for the coffin of the brave soldier . She herself went to the captain 's widow . The burgomaster 's wife returned home just before dinner , and found a motley throng of bearded warriors assembled in front of the house , they were trying to make themselves intelligible in the English language to some of the constables , and when the latter respectfully saluted Maria , raised their hands to their morions also . She pleasantly returned the greeting and passed into the entry , where the full light of noon streamed in through the open door . Peter had assigned quarters to the English soldiers outside , and after a consultation with the new commandant , Jan Van der Does , gave them officers . They were probably waiting for their comrades , for when the young wife had ascended the first steps of the staircase and looked upward , she found the top of the narrow flight barred by the tall figure of a soldier . The latter had his back towards her and was showing Bessie his dark velvet cap , surrounded by rectangular teeth , above which floated a beautiful light-blue ostrich-plume .