midday
But he was in no sense alarmed . He left the palace convinced that a few hours of repose would bring back the color to her cheeks and the natural buoyancy to her manner . Then he meant to chaff her about her distracted air ; for Joan was no neurotic subject , and she herself would be the first to laugh at the nervous fit of the morning . Poluski , hard at work at his frescoes since an early hour , and grudgingly snatching a hasty meal at midday , was surprised when Joan came to him after the King 's departure and told him that she meant to finish her picture that afternoon . He made no comment , however , indeed he was glad of her company , and the two drove away together in the capacious closed carriage that brought them to and fro between cathedral and palace . During their working hours , they refused to be hampered by the presence of servants . An old Greek , who acted as caretaker , took charge of canvases , easels , paintboxes , and other utensils of the painter 's craft , and he came out gleefully from his lodge as soon as their vehicle rumbled under the deep arch of the outer porch .