noon
She was a charming girl , so beautiful , so clever , and yet so modest . Many a man envied Ashton his prize . And you know that many an eligible girl would like to have stood in her shoes and been the bride of Richard Ashton , for he was considered one of the best catches in the matrimonial market . Such is life ; then it was high noon with him , and all smiled upon him ; now , none so poor as to do him reverence . '' This conversation gives a true outline of the actual state of affairs . Richard Ashton , at the date of which we are speaking , found absolute ruin staring him in the face , and he now knew he must either sell or be sold out . He wisely chose the former alternative , while there was some chance of saving a little for himself .