noon
The most beautiful of the flowers , the fairest exotics surrounded his couch , and bent their variegated petals down to the pale , death-stricken gladiator , who still had power to summon a smile to his lips , and with one last look of affection to bid farewell to his weeping friends -- farewell to the flowers and the sunlight ! On his lofty brow , on his smiling lips , there was written , after Death had claimed him , after the gladiator had fallen , `` The dying one greets you ! '' The day of his death was the day of his last triumph ; and the flowers that all Paris sent to him , were to Mirabeau the parting word of love and admiration ! Four times daily the king had sent to inquire after Mirabeau 's welfare , and when at noon , on the 2d of April , Count de la Marck brought the tidings of his death , the king turned pale . `` Disaster is hovering over us , '' he said , sadly , `` Death too arrays himself on the side of our enemies ! '' Marie Antoinette was also very deeply moved by the tidings . `` He wanted to save us , and therefore must die !