Noon
If fate had but been kinder to him ! To increase his dullness , Lord Mountdean , who had been staying with him some days , had suddenly disappeared . He had gone out early in the morning , saying that he would have a long ramble in the woods , and would probably not return until noon for luncheon . Noon had come and passed , luncheon was served , yet there was no sign of the earl , Lord Arleigh was not uneasy , but he longed for his friend 's society . At last he decided upon going in search of him . He had perhaps lost his way in the woods , or he had mistaken some road . It was high time that they looked after him -- he had been so many hours absent without apparent cause .