noon
The Earl lifted the child to his breast , and gazed on her cheek long and wistfully ; then questioning her tenderly , he took her within the house ; and Edith followed with Haco . `` Is Hilda within ? '' asked the son of Sweyn . `` Nay , she hath been in the forest since noon , '' answered Edith with an effort , for she could not recover her awe of his presence . `` Then , '' said Haco , halting at the threshold , `` I will go across the woodland to your house , Harold , and prepare your ceorls for your coming . '' `` I shall tarry here till Hilda returns , '' answered Harold , `` and it may be late in the night ere I reach home ; but Sexwolf already hath my orders . At sunrise we return to London , and thence we march on the insurgents . ''