noon
Marry him ! I would not touch him with a pair of tongs . '' As she said this , she was holding her cousin fast by the hand . Showing What Frank Greystock Thought About Marriage It had not been much after noon when Frank Greystock reached Portray Castle , and it was very nearly five when he left it . Of course he had lunched with the two ladies , and as the conversation before lunch had been long and interesting , they did not sit down till near three . Then Lizzie had taken him out to show him the grounds and garden , and they had clambered together down to the sea-beach . `` Leave me here , '' she had said , when he insisted on going because of his friend at the Cottage .