nearly noon
``` Father , '' said the eldest lady , rising with dignity , `` you hear our final resolve . The same pious care which enriched the abbey of St Mary , and left us , orphans , to its holy guardianship , directed that no constraint should be imposed upon our inclinations , but that we should be free to live according to our choice . Let us hear no more of this , we pray you . Sisters , it is nearly noon . Let us take shelter until evening ! '' With a reverence to the friar , the lady rose and walked towards the house , hand in hand with Alice ; the other sisters followed . ` The holy man , who had often urged the same point before , but had never met with so direct a repulse , walked some little distance behind , with his eyes bent upon the earth , and his lips moving AS IF in prayer .