noon
The last speech that Garin de Biterres had made to her that night conveyed a terrifying possibility . `` Lady Philippa , '' his cold harsh voice had fallen upon her ears like the grating of a key in a prison door , `` your father once refused me your hand . I hope to find you more gracious , or at least more compliant . My captain , Malemort , stands ready to wed the Lady Alazais as I would wed you , at high noon to-morrow . The fate of the others depends upon you . As good Christian maidens ye should all prefer Christian marriage to slavery among the Moslems , -- but gold in the purse is better than an unwilling bride . '' It was not long after sunset when old Grimaud , Count Thibaut 's gooseherd , was aroused from a light sleep by a fluttering at his window .