noon
Strange moisture dims mine eyes . -- Lawrance . Cecil woke the next morning with the feeling that something pleasant had happened ; and then she remembered that Bertie Du Meresq was actually in the house , and the old folly as likely as ever to begin again ; but , not possessing the self-examining powers of Anthony Trolloppe 's heroines , she made no attempt to argue herself out of her unreasonable happiness , and , indeed , dwelt far more than necessary on the warm , sudden hand-clasp so inopportunely witnessed by full private Bowers . She came down radiant , and looking positively handsome ; but when did a too sunny dawn escape a cloud ere noon ? Bertie seemed different somehow , -- was not certain he could get more leave , -- was even doubtful about asking for it ; and Cecil 's mental Mercury , which had been `` set fair , '' went down to `` change . '' In reality , Du Meresq not being so etherealized by love , felt out of sorts , and not up to the mark that morning , and , therefore , probably opined with Moore -- `` Thus should woman 's heart and looks , At noon be cold as winter brooks , Nor kindle till the night returning Brings their genial hour for burning . '' At any rate , he actually went to the barracks with the Colonel , `` as if he could n't get enough of that , '' thought Cecil , `` when he is not on leave . ''