noon
Only a few moments since , Amélie had profited by the first opportunity to return to her room , the one spot in the château where she seemed at ease , and where for the last six months she had spent most of her time . The dinner-bell alone possessed the power to bring her from it , and even then she waited for the second call before entering the dining-room . Roland and Sir John , as we have said , had divided their time between their visit to Bourg and their preparations for the morrow 's hunt . From morn until noon they were to beat the woods ; from noon till evening they were to hunt the boar . Michel , that devoted poacher , confined to his chair for the present with a sprain , felt better as soon as the question of the hunt was mooted , and had himself hoisted on a little horse that was used for the errands of the house . Then he sallied forth to collect the beaters from Saint-Just and Montagnac . He , being unable to beat or run , was to remain with the pack , and watch Sir John 's and Roland 's horse , and Edouard 's pony , in the middle of the forest , where it was intersected by one good road and two practicable paths .