noon
She rescued her own letter -- addressed to Joan -- and raised her heart in gratitude that no letter of angered remonstrance came from Burke . But he might _ come _ ; he might telegraph ! `` My God ! '' Patricia exclaimed at noon time , `` I can not stand this , Joan , we must vacate . '' Joan was quivering with excitement , too -- she was wild-eyed and shook with terror at every step on the stairs . Her ordeal of the day before had not merely devastated her beautiful dreams , but it had , in a marvellous fashion , created an entirely new outlook on life . She felt that once she was safe from any possible chance of meeting Raymond , he might , spiritually , rise from the ashes and eventually overcome the impression that would cling in spite of all she could do .