nearly noon
The dog leaped along by her side with vehement affection , jumping round her and on her , and she heard the starling 's cry , first `` Olympias ! '' and then `` My strength ! '' A happy smile parted her rosy lips as she glanced at the work-room ; but the two white teeth which always gleamed when she was gay were presently hidden , for her father , it would seem , was out . He was certainly not at work , for the wide window was unscreened , and it was now nearly noon . He was almost always within at this hour , and it would spoil half her gladness not to find him there . But what was this ? What could this mean ?