nearly noon
The travellers were Cardo and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wynne . As the carriage left the firm , high road , and began to descend one of the stony lanes which led to the shores below , Cardo became silent and thoughtful ; he had hitherto been the life of the party . Returning home in perfect health and spirits , he had given the rein to his fancy , and was full of buoyant hopes and joyful anticipations . The Vicar , apprised of their coming , was watching at the gate -- indeed , had been there more or less since breakfast , and it was now nearly noon . Betto flew about with amazing agility , considering her size and weight , dusting a chair , smoothing her apron , shading her eyes with her hand , and peering towards the brow of the hill for some signs of their coming . At last they arrived , and it would be useless to try to describe that happy meeting . The Vicar seemed overwhelmed with joy , not only to receive once more his beloved son , but also to clasp the hand of the brother whom he thought had been estranged from him for ever !