noon
`` At least let me follow you , then , '' I said , keeping close to her . `` Your father wished it ; and I shall at least be there to kill myself if anything happens to you . '' Why I was filled with these gloomy forebodings I do not know , for I had often seen Edmee galloping through the woods . I was in a peculiar state ; the heat of noon seemed mounting to my brain , and my nerves were strangely excited . I had eaten no breakfast , as I had felt somewhat out of sorts in the morning , and , to sustain myself , had swallowed several cups of coffee mixed with rum . At first I experienced a horrible sense of fear ; then , after a few minutes , the fear gave way to an inexpressible feeling of love and delight . The excitement of the gallop became so intense that I imagined my only object was to pursue Edmee .