about noon
She had not dared to ask him to marry her , -- had not dared to say those very words ; and he had not dared to ask her to be his mistress . There was an animal courage about her , and an amount of strength also , and a fire in her eye , of which he had learned to be aware . Before the half hour was over I think that he wished himself away ; -- but when he did go , he made a promise to see her again on the Tuesday morning . Her grandfather would be at Harlestone market , and she would meet him at about noon at the bottom of the kitchen garden belonging to the farm . As he made the promise he resolved that he would not keep it . He would write to her again , and bid her come to him in London , and would send her money for the journey . `` I suppose I am to be his wedded wife , '' said Ruby to herself , as she crept away down from the road , away also from her own home ; -- so that on her return her presence should not be associated with that of the young man , should any one chance to see the young man on the road .