Noon
For the first time in her life , when the bright sun shone into her room , Beatrice turned her face to the wall and dreaded the sight of day . The post-bag would leave the hall at nine in the morning -- Hugh would have the letter at noon . Until then she was safe . Noon came and went , but the length of the summer 's day brought nothing save fresh misery . At every unusual stir , every loud peal of the bell , every quick footstep , she turned pale , and her heart seemed to die within her . Lady Earle watched her with anxious eyes . She could not understand the change that had come over the brilliant young girl who had used to be the life of the house .