noon
Could all this be , and even Roger 's iron frame stand up against the battle ! No , the strength of Samson has been shorn . The crock has poured a blessing on its finder 's very skin , as when the devil covered Job with boils . ONE day at noon , ere the first week well was over since the fortunate discovery of gold , as Roger lay upon his bed , recovering from an overnight 's excess , tossed with fever , vexation , and anxiety , he was at once surprised and frightened by a visit from no less a personage than Mr. Simon Jennings . And this was the occasion of his presence : Directly the gathering storm of rumours had collected to that focus of all calumny , the destruction of female character and murder charged upon the innocent , Grace Acton had resolved upon her course ; secresy could be kept no longer ; her duty now appeared to be , to publish the story of her father 's lucky find . Grace , we may observe , had never been bound to silence , but only imposed it on herself from motives of tenderness to one , whom she believed to be taken in the toils of a temptation . She , simple soul , knew nothing of manorial rights , nor wotted she that any could despoil her father of his money ; but even if such thoughts had ever crossed her mind , she loathed the gold that had brought so much trouble on them all , and cared not how soon it was got rid of .