noon
Not even for a day will I remain under this roof , even if -- which is doubtful -- I should be suffered to do so . I put myself under the protection of your Holiness , until such time as I can set forth on my sad journey to Rome . At Surrentum I must abide until the corpse of my brother can be conveyed to its final resting place -- as I promised him . ' Much agitated , the prelate made answer that a fitting residence should be prepared for her before noon , and the presbyter Andreas added that he would instantly betake himself to the city on that business . Petronilla thanked him with the loftiest humility . For any lack of respect , or for common courtesy , to which they might be exposed ere they quitted the villa , she besought their Sanctities not to hold her responsible , she herself being now an unwilling intruder at this hearth , and liable at any moment to insult . Uttering which words in a resonant voice , she turned her eyes to where , a few yards away , stood Aurelia , with Basil and Decius behind her .