noon
`` Master , '' I cried , `` this must be wonderful news for you . '' He nodded over his coffee cup . `` You are right , my little Asticot ; it is , '' he answered gravely . * * * * * When I called at the Hôtel Meurice at noon , I was conducted with embarrassing ceremony to Madame de Verneuil 's private sitting-room , and on my way I rehearsed , in some trepidation , the polite formula of condolence which Paragot had taught me . When I entered , the sight of Joanna 's face drove polite formulæ out of my head . She was dressed in black , it is true , but the black only set off the shell pink of her cheeks and the blue of her eyes which were no longer frozen , but laughed at me , as if a visit of condolence were the gayest event possible . `` It is so good of you , Mr. Asticot , to come and see me .