noon
Sir Everard passed abruptly on and sought the stables at once . Sir Galahad was there , undergoing his morning toilet , and greeted his master with a loud neigh of delight . The young baronet dawdled away the lagging morning hours , smoking endless cigars under the waving trees , and waiting for the time when my lady should be visible . She rarely rose before noon , but to-day she deigned to get up at nine . Sir Everard flung away his last cigar , and went bounding up the grand stairs three at a time . Lady Kingsland sat breakfasting in her boudoir with her daughter -- a charming little bijou of a room , all filigree work , and fluted walls , delicious little Greuze paintings , and flowers and perfume -- and Lady Kingsland , in an exquisitely becoming robe de matin , at five-and-fifty looked fair and handsome , and scarce middle-aged yet . Time , that deals so gallantly with these blonde beauties , had just thinned the fair hair at the parting , and planted dainty crow 's - feet about the patrician mouth , but left no thread of silver under the pretty Parisian lace cap .