noon
The idea of meeting the new master of the empire face to face , inspired and chilled him in turn . For an instant he hoped that something would be lacking in his toilet -- that some shopkeeper would furnish him an honorable pretext for postponing his visit until the next day . But everybody displayed the most desperate punctuality . Precisely at noon , the trousers _ à la Cosaque _ and the frogged surtout were on the foot of the bed opposite the famous Bolivar hat . `` I may as well be dressing , '' said Fougas . `` Possibly this young man may not be at home . In that case I 'll leave my name , and wait until he sends for me . ''