noon
Talking they were , evidently at the instance of Cattrina , or his counsellors , who had raised some new objections , which Sir Geoffrey stepped forward to explain to them . But Hugh would not even hear him out . `` Tell the man and all whom it may concern , '' he said in an angry voice , `` that I am ready to fight him as he will , on horse or on foot , with lance or sword or axe or dagger , or any or all of them , in mail or without it ; or , if it pleases him , stripped to the shirt . Only let him settle swiftly , since unless the sweat runs into my eyes and dims them , it seems to me that night is coming before it is noon . '' `` You are right , '' answered Sir Geoffrey , `` this gathering gloom is ominous and fearful . I think that some awesome tempest must be about to burst . Also it seems to me that Cattrina has no stomach for this fray , else he would not raise so many points of martial law and custom . ''