noon
At last ! '' Small wonder that the dawn found her wide-eyed and unrested , and that when the hour came for her to rise she was prostrated with nervous headache and fatigue , utterly incapable of the slightest effort . And so the next day passed . At noon there came a note from the doctor , saying she need be under no anxiety . His patient was quiet and as well as could be expected . On the afternoon of the next day but one , the necessity of obtaining fresh air and a strong desire to meet Isabella Vernon again drove her out of doors . She was almost surprised to find how keen was her wish to pursue the acquaintance so informally begun ; she could not account for it .