noon
On the way something cold and mysterious seemed to have come between Julia and Alfred . They walked apart in gloomy silence , broken only by foreboding sighs . I pass over the tempest of emotions under which that sad burden entered Albion Villa , and hurry to the next marked event . Next day the patient had lost his extreme pallor , and wore a certain uniform sallow hue ; and at noon , just before Sampson 's return , he opened his eyes wide , and fixed them on Mrs. Dodd and Julia , who were now his nurses . They hailed this with delight , and held their breath to hear him speak to them the first sweet words of reviving life and love . But soon , to their surprise and grief , they found he did not know them . They spoke to him , each in turn , and told him piteously who they were , and implored him with tears to know them and speak to them .