two hours after noon
The artificial distinction which divided the two lovers -- for such we may now term them -- seemed dissolved by the circumstance in which they were placed . For the present , the Countess was as poor as the youth , and for her safety , honour , and life , she was exclusively indebted to his presence of mind , valour , and devotion . They _ spoke _ not , indeed , of love , but the thoughts of it were on both sides unavoidable . It was two hours after noon when a party of De la Marck 's banditti appeared , and shortly after a body of men-at-arms under a knight 's pennon . The former were soon put to rout by the superiority of the latter , whose banner Countess Isabelle recognised as that of the Count of Crèvecoeur , a noble Burgundian . `` Noble Count ! '' said Isabelle , as Crèvecoeur gazed on her with doubt and uncertainty , `` Isabelle of Croye , the daughter of your old companion in arms , Count Reinold of Croye , renders herself , and asks protection from your valour for her and hers . ''