about midday
She brought the repentant husband to his knees , and then doubted , strongly doubted , whether she would , whether in consideration for her friend she could , intercede with Diana to forgive him . In the morning she slept heavily . Sir Lukin had gone to London early for further tidings . She awoke about midday , and found a letter on her pillow . It was Diana 's . Then while her fingers eagerly tore it open , her heart , the champion rider over-night , sank . It needed support of facts , and feared them : not in distrust of that dear persecuted soul , but because the very bravest of hearts is of its nature a shivering defender , sensitive in the presence of any hostile array , much craving for material support , until the mind and spirit displace it , depute it to second them instead of leading .