noon
It was necessary to inform the dear child of this at once , as she was on the point of writing to this woman ; but we were pained and shocked at her reception of her brother 's wishes . I ought to say , in justice to the dear child , that while she is usually docile , intelligent , and tractable to discipline , and a devote in her religious feelings , she is singularly impulsive . But we were not prepared for the rash and sudden step she has taken . At noon to-day she escaped from the convent ! '' Key , who had been following her with relief , sprang to his feet at this unexpected culmination . `` Escaped ! '' he said .