noon
Perfect tranquility is his only safety . If all goes well -- as I trust and believe that it will -- in a few days he will have regained his strength in a measure , his wound will be healing , and you can probably be with him as much as you like , without any fear of doing him harm . I know that this is very trying to your highness , but , believe me , it is necessary to your son 's well-being . '' The prince , very much relieved , and yielding readily to the doctor 's wishes , returned to his own apartment ; where he occupied himself with some religious reading until noon , when the major-domo came to announce that dinner was on the table . `` Go and tell my daughter , the Comtesse Isabelle de Lineuil -- such is the title by which she is to be addressed henceforth -- that I request her to join me at dinner , '' said the prince to the major-domo , who hastened off to obey this order . Isabelle went quickly down the grand staircase with a light step , and smiled to herself as she passed through the noble hall where she had been so frightened by the two figures in armour , on the occasion of her bold exploring expedition the first night after her arrival at the chateau . Everything looked very different now -- the bright sunshine was pouring in at the windows , and large fires of juniper , and other sweet-smelling woods , had completely done away with the damp , chilly , heavy atmosphere that pervaded the long disused rooms when she was in them before .