noon
From the brief interview that I had with him I discovered that whilst he but vaguely suspected me to be St. Auban -- and when I say `` he suspected me '' I mean he suspected him whose place I had taken -- he was , nevertheless , aware of the profit which his captor , whoever he might be , derived from this business . It soon grew clear to me from what he said that St. Auban had mocked him with it whilst concealing his identity ; that he had told him how he had obtained from Malpertuis the treasonable letter , and of the bargain which it had enabled him to strike with Mazarin . I did not long remain in his company , and , deeming the time not yet ripe for disclosures , I said little in answer to his lengthy tirades , which had , I guessed , for scope to trap me into betraying the identity he but suspected . It wanted a few minutes to noon as I left the room in which the old nobleman was confined , and by the door of which a trooper was stationed , musket on shoulder . With every pulse a-throbbing at the thought of my approaching interview with Mademoiselle , I made my way below and out into the bright sunshine , the soldiers I chanced to meet saluting me as I passed them . On the terrace I found Mademoiselle already awaiting me . She was standing , as often I had seen her stand , with her back turned towards me and her elbows resting upon the balustrade .