noon
That was a thing long since determined . Yet it would have been some comfort to her to have had Richard at her side ; it would have lent her strength to have had his kiss of thanks for the holocaust which for him she was making of all that a woman holds most dear and sacred . But Richard was away -- he had been absent since yesterday , and none could tell her where he tarried . With Lady Horton and Diana she took her way to Saint Mary 's Church at noon , and there she found Mr. Wilding -- very fine in a suit of sky-blue satin , laced with silver -- awaiting her . And with him was old Lord Gervase Scoresby , his friend and cousin , the very incarnation of benignity and ruddy health . For a wonder Nick Trenchard was not at Mr. Wilding 's side . But Nick had definitely refused to be of the party , emphasizing his refusal by certain choice reflections wholly unflattering to the married state .