noon
She dared not control him in any thing material while his mind continued in that desperate situation and therefore consented to stay some time longer . She found it very difficult to make him think that there ever was a proper time for her to depart , though passion was much less tormenting since he had ventured to declare it ; and what before arose nearly to distraction , sunk now into a soft melancholy . Mrs Alworth paid so little attention to her husband that she had not perceived the conflict in his mind . She was wearied with the country to the greatest degree , and made the tiresome days as short as she could by not rising till noon ; from that time till dinner her toilet found her sufficient employment . As the neighbourhood was large , she very frequently contrived to make a party at cards ; but as her company was not used to play high , this afforded her little relief except she could find somebody to bet with her , which was not very difficult as she was contented to do it to a disadvantage . In this way she contrived , just , as she called it , to drag on life ; and wondered how so fine a woman as Harriot could have so long buried herself in that place , scarcely more lively than the family vault . When Harriot thought she had sufficiently convinced Mr Alworth of the necessity of her absence , she took her leave with much greater concern than she would suffer to appear , though she did not affect indifference ; but the truth was , Mr Alworth 's passionate tenderness for her had made an impression on her heart which without it all his merit could not effect .