noon
What business had Aunt Letty to talk of her misery ? Of course she was wretched , as they all were ; but how could she appreciate the burden that was on his back ? What was Clara Desmond to her ? Shortly after noon Mr. Prendergast was back at the house ; but he slunk up to his room , and no one saw anything of him . At half-past six he came down , and Herbert constrained himself to sit at the table while dinner was served ; and so the day passed away . One more day only Mr. Prendergast was to stay at Castle Richmond ; and then , if , as he expected , certain letters should reach him on that morning , he was to start for London late on the following day . It may well be imagined that he was not desirous of prolonging his visit .