the sun at noon
`` I feel as if I could trust my happiness to carry me ; as if it had grown out of me like wings . '' So she phrased it to Darrow , as , later in the morning , they paced the garden-paths together . His answering look gave her the same assurance of safety . The evening before he had seemed preoccupied , and the shadow of his mood had faintly encroached on the great golden orb of their blessedness ; but now it was uneclipsed again , and hung above them high and bright as the sun at noon . Upstairs in her sitting-room , that afternoon , she was thinking of these things . The morning mists had turned to rain , compelling the postponement of an excursion in which the whole party were to have joined . Effie , with her governess , had been despatched in the motor to do some shopping at Francheuil ; and Anna had promised Darrow to join him , later in the afternoon , for a quick walk in the rain .