noon
She would only behold with her eyes what she had often enough imagined with the utmost distinctness -- the great monarch divested of his grandeur and all his dignities . But Granvelle 's message that she was one cf those who stood nearest to the abdicating sovereign constantly echoed in her ears , and her absence from this ceremony would have seemed to her unnatural -- nay , an offence against something necessary . Her husband was pleased with the great minister 's kindness to his wife . He had nothing to do in the palace , but he intended to look for the children , who had gone there before noon with Frau Lamperi , that they might get the best possible view of the approach of the princes and dignitaries . Barbara herself was to use a litter . The ex - ` garde-robiere ' had helped her put on her gala attire , and Pyramus assured his wife that every one would consider her the handsomest and most elegant lady in the galleries . She knew that he was right , and listened with pleasure , deeply as resentment and disappointment burdened her soul .