noon
But the sunshine was so delightful , the sight of the empty bench and the abandoned novel on the other side of the lawn so beguiling , that after all he turned his lazy steps thither-ward , half ashamed , half amused to think how well Lady Dunstable had read his character . The guests had all disappeared . Meadows had the garden to himself , and all its summer prospect of moor and stream . It was close on noon -- a hot and heavenly day ! And again he thought of Doris cooped up in London . Perhaps , after all , he would get out of that cruise ! Ah !