midday
At that moment , he was capable of thinking only of Celia ; the past was like a dream , his heart was in the present and future ; and his happiness was alloyed by one regret only -- that he had concealed from Celia his real name and his connection with the Heytons . But , as he walked on air towards the village , he told himself that such concealment would not long be necessary , that he would tell her the next time they met . As happy as Derrick , Celia hurried back to the Hall . So suddenly had come her happiness , so swiftly and unexpectedly had her life been suffused by joy , that she was dazzled and bewildered , as one is dazzled and bewildered by the bursting of the midday sunlight through a bank of clouds . It seemed almost impossible to realise that he was back in England , near at hand , that he loved her , that he had held her in his arms ; but the warmth of his kisses still lingered on her lips and helped her unbelief . As she entered the hall , Heyton sauntered out of the smoking-room ; the eternal cigarette was between his thick lips , his hands were thrust in his pockets ; the smile , which Celia so much disliked , greeted her appearance , and his eyes roved over her with , the expression which always raised Celia 's resentment . `` Hallo ! ''