noon
whispered he , his lips to her warm cheek . She uttered a soft cry of passionate joy that told him more than a hundred phrases of assent how dear he was to her , and hid her face upon his breast . Oh happy hour , so bright , and yet so brief ! Oh golden noon , already on the verge of eve and blackest night ! How often in the after-time did that fair and sunny scene recur to them , a bitter memory ; how often was that first kiss of love renewed by cruel fancy and in mocking dreams , its sweetness changed to gall ! Better for one -- better , perhaps , for both -- if , clasped in one another 's arms , they had fallen from that tall tower 's top , and then and there had ended life and love together ! Never had Richard been in such high spirits as on the evening of that day on which Harry had made confession to him of her love , and had promised to be his wife should her father 's consent be gained .