Noon
She , too , had first heard it there ; but , as she descended , it was with her still . The songs of the birds , the rush of the stream , the breeze in the pines , the bee on the wing , all Nature seemed to say : `` It is the Lord ! '' Sorrow , suffering , disillusion might await her on the plain ; but , with the Presence beside her , and the Voice within , she felt strong to face them , and to overcome . Noon found her in her garden , calm and serene ; yet wondering , with quickening pulses , whether at nightfall or even at sunset , Hugh would ride in ; and what she must say if , giving some other reason for his journey to Worcester , he deceived her as others had deceived ; failed her as others had failed . And wondering thus , she rose and moved with slow step to the terrace . For a while she stood pondering this hard question , her eyes lifted to the distant hills . Then something impelled her to turn and glance into the banqueting hall , and there -- on the spot where he had knelt that she might bless him at parting -- stood Hugh , his arms folded , his eyes fixed upon her , waiting till she should see him .