noon
Little did Nea guess as she flitted , like a white butterfly , from one flower vase to another , that her spring-tide was already over , and that the cloud that was to obscure her life was dawning slowly in the east . I have no reason than a woman 's reason ; I think him so , because I think him so . SHAKESPEARE . Before noon there was terror and confusion in Belgrave House . Nea , flitting like a humming-bird from flower to flower , was suddenly startled by the sound of heavy jolting footsteps on the stairs , and , coming out on the corridor , she saw strange men carrying the insensible figure of her father to his room . She uttered a shrill cry and sprung toward them , but a gentleman who was following them put her gently aside , and telling her that he was a doctor , and that he would come to her presently , quietly closed the door . Nea , sitting on the stairs and weeping passionately , heard from a sympathizing bystander the little there was to tell .