noon
If he remained firmly established at Laughton , he could affect intercession , -- he could delay , at least , any precipitate union with Mainwaring , by practising on the ambition which he still saw at work beneath her love ; he might become a necessary ally ; and then -- why , then , his ironical smile glanced across his lips . But beyond this , his quick eye saw fair prospects to self-interest : Lucretia banished ; the heritage not hers ; the will to be altered ; Dalibard esteemed indispensable to the life of the baronet . Come , there was hope here , -- not for the heritage , indeed , but at least for a munificent bequest . At noon , some visitors , bringing strangers from London whom Sir Miles had invited to see the house -LRB- which was one of the lions of the neighbourhood , though not professedly a show-place -RRB- , were expected . Aware of this , Dalibard prayed the baronet to rest quiet till his company arrived , and then he said carelessly , -- `` It will be a healthful diversion to your spirits to accompany them a little in the park ; you can go in your garden-chair ; you will have new companions to talk with by the way ; and it is always warm and sunny at the slope of the hill , towards the bottom of the park . '' Sir Miles assented cheerfully ; the guests came , strolled over the house , admired the pictures and the armour and the hall and the staircase , paid due respect to the substantial old-fashioned luncheon , and then , refreshed , and in great good-humour , acquiesced in Sir Miles 's proposition to saunter through the park . The poor baronet was more lively than usual .