noon
What was more likely than that the Countess of Derby , a Catholic and a Frenchwoman , should have had secret commissions amongst such people ; and that the execution of such should be entrusted , at least occasionally , to Fenella ? Thus reflecting , Julian continued to follow her light and active footsteps as she glided from the Strand to Spring-Garden , and thence into the Park . It was still early in the morning , and the Mall was untenanted , save by a few walkers , who frequented these shades for the wholesome purposes of air and exercise . Splendour , gaiety , and display , did not come forth , at that period , until noon was approaching . All readers have heard that the whole space where the Horse Guards are now built , made , in the time of Charles II. , a part of St. James 's Park ; and that the old building , now called the Treasury , was a part of the ancient Palace of Whitehall , which was thus immediately connected with the Park . The canal had been constructed , by the celebrated Le Notre , for the purpose of draining the Park ; and it communicated with the Thames by a decoy , stocked with a quantity of the rarer waterfowl . It was towards this decoy that Fenella bent her way with unabated speed ; and they were approaching a group of two or three gentlemen , who sauntered by its banks , when , on looking closely at him who appeared to be the chief of the party , Julian felt his heart beat uncommonly thick , as if conscious of approaching some one of the highest consequence .