noon
Breakfast was served , and she began to look out for Edith . Time passed , however , and Edith did not make her appearance . Miss Plympton tried to account for the delay in every possible way , and consoled herself as long as she could by the thought that she had been very much fatigued ; and had not risen until very late . But the hours passed , and at length noon came without bringing any signs of her , and Miss Plympton was unable any longer to repress her uneasiness . This inaction grew intolerable , and she determined to set forth and see for herself . Accordingly she had the carriage made ready , and in a short time reached the park gate . She had to ring for a long time before any one appeared ; but at length , after fully an hour 's delay , the porter came .