noon
answered Arvina . As they stopped , previous to separating , a young man , who had been walking for some distance close at their heels , passed them , nodding as he did so , to Arvina , who returned his salutation , very distantly . `` Aulus Fulvius ! '' said Aristius , as Paullus bowed to him , `` as bad a specimen of a young patrician , as one might see for many days , even if he searched for rascals , as the philosopher did for an honest man , by lanthorn 's light at noon . He has been following our steps , by my head ! -- to pick up our stray words , and weave them into calumnies , and villainy . '' `` I care not , '' answered Arvina , lightly .