noon
As they rode out of town he had begun with , `` I 'll see her in four days , '' and the next morning , passing through the gates of the plantation where they had slept , he had irrelevantly remarked , `` Now it is but three . '' The elder brother laughed and wished him Houssain 's carpet . Throughout the day they rode as rapidly as the heat permitted , but when at dusk they were captured by a kinsman with a charming wife and a bevy of pretty daughters , it was evident that they would not resume the road at dawn . It was noon , indeed , before they unclasped all these tendrils and pursued their journey , and at sunset another plantation put out a detaining hand . Fairfax Cary swore with impatience . The other laughed again , but when , late next morning , they got away with a message called to them from the porch , `` You 'll be at Elm Tree this afternoon . Tell Cousin William -- '' he looked kindly at his junior 's vexed face and proposed a division of forces .