noon
After a while , Houston , returning a little early on account of the storm , joined them , and the four friends spent the most enjoyable evening which they had yet known together , notwithstanding the storm . It had been an eventful day . To Lyle , and one or two of the others , it was the beginning of a new life , though they did not then realize it ; the first , faint flush that heralds the coming of the sun to brighten the new day , but which is so subtle and silent , that few are aware of its presence . Houston , on his return to the house at noon , had given , in answer to Rutherford 's eager inquiries , an account of the `` skirmish '' as he called it . Rutherford was so proud of his friend , and of the victory he had won , that at the first opportunity , he told the story to Miss Gladden , before Houston had even returned to the office . Miss Gladden was enthusiastic in her admiration of the course he had taken , so different from many of the young men she had known in wealthy , aristocratic circles , in thus defending a poor , friendless girl , subject to insult because she had the misfortune , under such circumstances , to be beautiful ; and obeying the impulses of her noble-hearted , high-spirited nature , she went to Houston , as she saw him standing alone a few minutes after dinner , and extending her hand , with a bright smile , said : `` Sir Knight , I want to thank you , in Lyle 's name and my own , for the chivalric course you have taken this morning . '' She could get no further ; Houston , still holding her hand , interrupted her .