noon
Undoubtedly the wealth of the presumed heiress had become dearer to him , -- had become at least more important to him , -- since he had learned that it must probably be lost . Sir William Patterson was a gentleman as well as a lawyer ; -- one who had not simply risen to legal rank by diligence and intellect , but a gentleman born and bred , who had been at a public school , and had lived all his days with people of the right sort . Sir William was his legal adviser , and he would commit Lady Anna 's secret to the keeping of Sir William . There was a coach which started in those days from York at noon , reaching London early on the following day . He would go up by this coach , and would thus avoid the necessity of much further association with his family before he had decided what should be his conduct . But he must see his cousin before he went . He therefore sent a note to her before she had left her room on the following morning ; -- DEAR ANNA , I purpose starting for London in an hour or so , and wish to say one word to you before I go .