an hour before noon
`` This unexpected rebuff will drive Charteris mad ! He hath been long making a sort of homage to this lady , and to find himself suspected of incontinence , when he was expecting the full credit of a charitable action , will altogether confound him ; and , as thou say ' st , it will be long enough ere he come hither to look after the damsel or do honour to the dame . But away to thy pageant , while I prepare that which shall close the pageant for ever . '' It was an hour before noon , when Catharine , escorted by old Henshaw and a groom of the Knight of Kinfauns , arrived before the lordly tower of Falkland . The broad banner which was displayed from it bore the arms of Rothsay , the servants who appeared wore the colours of the Prince 's household , all confirming the general belief that the Duchess still resided there . Catharine 's heart throbbed , for she had heard that the Duchess had the pride as well as the high courage of the house of Douglas , and felt uncertain touching the reception she was to experience . On entering the castle , she observed that the train was smaller than she had expected , but , as the Duchess lived in close retirement , she was little surprised at this .