noon
What ails you ? You have been calling Orion again and again , at first in terror and then so tenderly . -- Yes , believe me , tenderly . '' In the neat rooms which Rufinus ' wife had made ready for her sick guests perfect peace reigned , and it was noon . A soft twilight fell through the thick green curtains which mitigated the sunshine , and the nurses had lately cleared away after the morning meal . Paula was moistening the bandage on the Masdakite 's head , and Pulcheria was busy in the adjoining room with Mandane , who obeyed the physician 's instructions with intelligent submission and showed no signs of insanity . Paula was still spellbound by her past dream .