noon
Book 6 Chapter 11 When the news had arrived in the morning at Mowbray , that the messengers of the Bishop had met with a somewhat queer reception at the Mowedale works , Gerard prescient that some trouble might in consequence occur there , determined to repair at once to the residence of his late employer . It so happened that Monday was the day on which the cottages up the dale and on the other side of the river were visited by an envoy of Ursula Trafford , and it was the office of Sybil this morning to fulfil the duties of that mission of charity . She had mentioned this to her father on the previous day , and as in consequence of the strike , he was no longer occupied , he had proposed to accompany his daughter on the morrow . Together therefore they had walked until they arrived at the bridge , it being then about two hours to noon , a little above their former residence . Here they were to separate . Gerard embraced his daughter with even more than usual tenderness ; and as Sybil crossed the bridge , she looked round at her father , and her glance caught his , turned for the same fond purpose . Sybil was not alone ; Harold , who had ceased to gambol , but who had gained in stature , majesty and weight what he had lost of lithe and frolick grace , was by her side .