noon
The world , of course , knew nothing of this . Sir Hugh , ever since his re-marriage , had given good dinners and had been entertained in return , therefore everybody believed that he derived his unusually large income from his wife . As he sat at table he laughed and chatted merrily with his guests , for on such occasions he was always good company . Different , indeed , was his attitude from when , at noon , he had stood with Weirmarsh in his own den and pronounced his own fate . The man who held him in that strange thraldom was seated at the table . He had been invited three days ago , and had come there , perhaps , to taunt him with his presence in those the last few hours of his life . Only once the two men exchanged glances , for Weirmarsh was devoting all his attention to young Lady Stockbridge .