noon
He had telegraphed to the headquarters of the regiment and received a reply , stating that Edward had left for London the previous day , meaning to go home before returning . The fact of his having been at the London station was also established , but whether he left by the train or not was still uncertain . The ruins were still being searched , and the body might yet appear . `` Is Sir John coming at noon ? '' asked Jean , as the three sat together in the rosy hush of dawn , trying to hope against hope . `` No , he had been ill , I learned from young Gower , who is just from town , and so had not completed his business . I sent him word to wait till night , for the bridge wo n't be passable till then .