noon
She awaited the fateful hour with anxious expectation . The twenty-fourth of February was the Emperor 's birthday , and if it should come then , if the father and child should see the light of the world on the same day of the almanac , surely it must seem to Charles a favourable omen . And behold ! On the day of St. Matthias -- that is , the twenty-fourth of February , Charles 's birthday-at noon , Frau Traut , radiant with joy , could despatch the waiting messenger to Ulm with the tidings that a son had just been born to his Majesty . The next morning the child was baptized John by the chaplain who accompanied the women , because this apostle had been nearest to the Saviour 's heart . The young mother was not permitted to rejoice at the sight of her babe . Charles had given orders in advance what should be done hour by hour , and believed he was treating the mother kindly by refusing to allow her to enjoy the sight of the newborn child which could not remain with her .