midday
But he put that question aside , classing it among the considerations which he had learnt to estimate as small and unimportant . The simple and true thing -- the thing of real importance -- emerged definite and clear : Harry Feversham was atoning for his one act of cowardice with a full and an overflowing measure of atonement . `` I shall astonish old Sutch , '' he thought , with a chuckle . He took the night mail into Devonshire the same evening , and reached his home before midday . Within the drawing-room at The Pool , Durrance said good-bye to Ethne . He had so arranged it that there should be little time for that leave-taking , and already the carriage stood at the steps of Guessens , with his luggage strapped upon the roof and his servant waiting at the door . Ethne came out with him on to the terrace , where Mrs. Adair stood at the top of the flight of steps .