noon
George went on ; and so eloquently , and so touchingly did he describe both grandsire and grandchild , so skilfully did he intimate the mystery which hung over them , that Lady Montfort became much moved by his narrative ; and willingly promised to accompany him across the park to the basketmaker 's cottage the first opportunity . But when one has sixty guests in one 's house , one has to wait for an opportunity to escape from them unremarked . And the opportunity , in fact , did not come for many days ; not till the party broke up , save one or two dowager she-cousins who `` gave no trouble , '' and one or two bachelor he-cousins whom my lord retained to consummate the slaughter of pheasants , and play at billiards in the dreary intervals between sunset and dinner , dinner and bedtime . Then one cheerful frosty noon George Morley and his fair cousin walked boldly / en evidence / , before the prying ghostly windows , across the broad gravel walks ; gained the secluded shrubbery , the solitary deeps of park - land ; skirted the wide sheet of water , and , passing through a private wicket in the paling , suddenly came upon the patch of osier-ground and humble garden , which were backed by the basketmaker 's cottage . As they entered those lowly precincts a child 's laugh was borne to their ears , -- a child 's silvery , musical , mirthful laugh ; it was long since the great lady had heard a laugh like that , -- a happy child 's natural laugh . She paused and listened with a strange pleasure . `` Yes , '' whispered George Morley , `` stop -- and hush !