noon
Meanwhile , silence ! '' `` Silence ! '' echoed Lady Lansmere ; and her burning hand rested in Audley 's , and Audley 's hand was as ice . In another hour Egerton had left the house , and before noon he was with Harley . It is necessary now to explain the absence of all the Avenel family , except the poor stricken father . Nora had died in giving birth to a child , -- died delirious . In her delirium she had spoken of shame , of disgrace ; there was no holy nuptial ring on her finger .