noon
She was surprised to hear Godolphin 's voice behind her : she turned round and he joined her . `` I thought you were on your shooting expedition ? '' `` I have been shooting , and I am returned . I was out by daybreak , and I came back at noon in the hope of being allowed to join you in your ride or walk . '' Constance smilingly acknowledged the compliment ; and as they passed up the straight walks of the old-fashioned and stately gardens , Godolphin turned the conversation upon the varieties of garden scenery ; upon the poets who have described those varieties best ; upon that difference between the town life and the country , on which the brothers of the minstrel craft have , in all ages , so glowingly insisted . In this conversation , certain points of contrast between the characters of these two young persons might be observed . `` I confess to you , '' said Godolphin , `` that I have little faith in the permanence of any attachment professed for the country by the inhabitants of cities .