noon
Even in my husband 's interests , ought I to permit a man who had grossly insulted me to approach me again ? Although I was no prude , I recoiled from the thought of it . I arose late , and sat down at my desk , trying to summon energy enough to write to Mr. Playmore -- and trying in vain . Toward noon -LRB- while Benjamin happened to be out for a little while -RRB- the housekeeper announced the arrival of another strange visitor at the gate of the villa . `` It 's a woman this time , ma'am -- or something like one , '' said this worthy person , confidentially . `` A great , stout , awkward , stupid creature , with a man 's hat on and a man 's stick in her hand . She says she has got a note for you , and she wo n't give it to anybody _ but _ you .