noon
Spencer had come there that morning fully determined to see Kathleen and , as he expressed it to himself , `` have an understanding with her . '' Having for once gotten by Vincent 's relaxed guard , wild horses would not have dragged him away . Vincent 's harassed expression altered to one of relief as he heard the front doorbell sound , but his feelings underwent a change when he saw Kathleen standing in the vestibule instead of Mrs. Whitney , who had announced that she would return early as she was walking and not using the limousine . `` Any mail for me in the noon delivery ? '' asked Kathleen , and her smile faded at the butler 's negative reply . Why did her letters to England remain unanswered ? John Hargraves was the promptest of correspondents , and the question she had asked him required an answer .