noon
As the hours dragged on Constans felt a vague uneasiness pressing down upon him , and he could see that the people also were growing restless under the unaccountable delay . The laughter and talk little by little died away ; men stood in silent groups staring through the open gate , up the long avenue of the Palace Road , shading their bent brows under their hollowed hands . Would they never come ! With noon a small diversion offered . Four negro slaves carrying a litter issued from the door of the White Tower . There was no mistaking that great head with its mane of coarse , white hair -- the old Dom Gillian . With infinite difficulty the attendants succeeded in hoisting the unwieldy bulk upon the platform , and so into the great chair .