noon
As for Owen , who had reached his legal majority two years before , and was soon to attain the age fixed for the taking over of his paternal inheritance , the arrival of this date would reduce his step-mother 's responsibility to a friendly concern for his welfare . This made for the prompt realization of Darrow 's wishes , and there seemed no reason why the marriage should not take place within the six weeks that remained of his leave . They passed out of the wood-walk into the open brightness of the garden . The noon sunlight sheeted with gold the bronze flanks of the polygonal yews . Chrysanthemums , russet , saffron and orange , glowed like the efflorescence of an enchanted forest ; belts of red begonia purpling to wine-colour ran like smouldering flame among the borders ; and above this outspread tapestry the house extended its harmonious length , the soberness of its lines softened to grace in the luminous misty air . Darrow stood still , and Anna felt that his glance was travelling from her to the scene about them and then back to her face . `` You 're sure you 're prepared to give up Givre ?